Police: DWI Arrests Up 12 Percent in December

 Fairfax County Police officers arrested 358 drunk drivers as part of their Safe December 2011 efforts. Of those arrested the vast majority (150) were young adults between the ages of 21 and 29. Further analysis shows that 28 were between 15 and 20 years old, 82 were 30-39, 55 were 40-49 and 43 were 50 or older.

 “Despite all our Safe December education and enforcement efforts, hundreds of drivers chose to drink and drive in Fairfax County, presenting an unacceptable safety risk to us all. Clearly, impaired driving remains a threat and our officers will continue to aggressively pursue violators,” said Captain Susan Culin, Commander of the Fairfax County Traffic Division.

 Last December, Fairfax County Police made 317 DWI arrests. Of those 252 were men; 65 were women.

Drunk driving continues to pose a threat to all who drive our roadways,” said Capt. Culin. “We want the public to know that it continues to be a serious problem and police are out there targeting reckless, illegal driving behaviors.”  

Despite strict laws governing underage drinking, FCPD cited 246 people under age 21 with driving after illegally consuming alcohol in 2010. Through the third quarter of 2011, there were 193 youthful offenders cited.

For more information on alcohol enforcement, contact the Public Information Office to set up interviews with Traffic and District Station Commanders. For more information on underage prevention targeting youth, check http://www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org/.