DUI arrests rise this year during Fourth of July holiday week

BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP), DUI arrests have sharply increased statewide from last year during the Fourth of July holiday.

According to NDHP’s Public Information Officer, Sgt. Jenna Clawson Huibregtse, they’ve already seen a steep increase in people who were arrested for driving under the influence this past week compared to the same time last July 4.

Troopers made 13 DUI arrests on July 3-4 compared to seven on the same days in 2023, and Huibregtse says that’s an 85% increase from last year.

“July Fourth is a holiday where people tend to drink a little bit more, and when you look at statistics, our DUI’s are actually very high this week,” said Huibregtse. “But, that’s not just alcohol. Those are also DUI drugs, and so we’re seeing a variety of different things out there.”

She also advises that people find a designated driver to get them home safely if they decide to drink.

Huibregtse adds that there have already been two fatal motorcycle crashes in the state since holiday travel ramped up earlier this week as people were heading off for the holiday.

She reminds drivers that there are more troopers patrolling the highways this holiday season and that people need to slow down and put away their mobile phones and focus on their driving.

“When people see law enforcement, they slow down. But, we hope people will be taking into consideration the extra traffic,” she said. “Plan ahead and just make sure you give yourself extra minutes to be there.”

Huibregtse says troopers have also seen an increase in distracted driving, “That’s what we see all the time across the state. We want you to put down your cell phones and keep your eyes on the road,” said Huibregtse.

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