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Police: DUIs on rise amid pandemic

Studies indicate that people are drinking more alcohol more often during the pandemic than they did in 2019.

Much of the increase is taking place at home, so, in many cases, people that find themselves impaired don’t have the need to drive.

Initially, the pandemic resulted in a drop in DUI arrests. Those numbers have come back up.

“With the COVID restrictions in place on the restaurant and bar industries one would think there would be less impaired drivers on our roadways,” Warren County DUI Task Force Coordinator Todd Mineweaser said. “Unfortunately, some people will take the chance to drive while impaired.”

“Here is what a DUI offender may be risking: being arrested, killing or injuring innocent people, imprisonment or probation, high fines, DUI classes, expensive lawyer fees, suspended license, higher insurance rates, your name on the record, loss of employment or wages, marital problems, criminal record and shame on one’s self, depression or a mental health disorder.”

“With that said: please stay safe this holiday season, plan ahead for events, call a family member or friend for a ride to and from,” Mineweaser said. “Can you really afford all of this from one bad decision? Ask someone that has already been through what I mentioned. They will tell you it’s not easy and will be life changing for many.”

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