The Minnesota Department of Public Safety today announced a major impaired driving crackdown to be conducted throughout the summer in Hennepin and Ramsey counties — the top two counties for impaired driving deaths.

Approximately 40 law enforcement agencies will dedicate 4,500 hours of patrol time specifically to target impaired driving through the state’s Operation NightCAP (nighttime concentrated alcohol patrol) program.

“The irresponsible and deadly behavior of drunken driving is not acceptable,” Governor Tim Pawlenty said. “We’re going to go after impaired drivers this summer with one of Minnesota’s largest ever saturation enforcement efforts.”

Statewide, there were 1,079 alcohol-related traffic deaths from 2001 to 2005. More than 14 percent (155) of these deaths occurred in Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Nearly 48,000 DWI arrests were made in these two counties during the same period — nearly 30 percent of all statewide DWI arrests made during that time.

Last year, Operation NightCAP officers arrested 551 impaired drivers, cited more than 3,400 drivers for traffic- and equipment-related offenses and stopped nearly 5,500 vehicles in the two counties.

“Heavily patrolling the state’s deadliest area for impaired driving crimes will allow us to have the greatest impact and save the most lives,” Col. Mark Dunaski, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol said. “Find a sober ride home before you seriously injure or kill someone.”

NightCAP is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and coordinated by OTS. The program combines city, county and state law enforcement agencies to saturate roadways where impaired driving is likely.