The Minnesota State Patrol  has announced that it will increase drunk driving enforcement from now through December.

The increased enforcement is based on the statistical fact that the Thanksgiving through New Years period is one of the most deadly in terms of impaired driving in Minnesota.

The Minnesota State Patrol believes that the educational value of these patrols is as important as the actual law enforcement value. By making people aware of the enforcement and the sobering statistics, they hope to discourage people from driving after drinking. They also hope to make people more aware of the importance of wearing seat belts.

The increased Minnesota DWI patrol is at least partially funded by the NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.