Drunken driving deaths decline in Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A new report shows the number of drunken driving deaths is declining in Minnesota.

The Department of Public Safety says 111 people died from drunken driving in 2011, compared with 185 deaths a decade ago. Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Tom Shmitz says the weekend and holidays generate more instances of impaired driving. People are visiting friends or relatives, drink too much and don't make plans for a designated driver.

The state just finished its third weekend of a crackdown on drunken driving. Minnesota Public Radio News says the state has arrested 605 drunken drivers so far this year, compared with 1,787 arrests last year.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.