SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Adult drunk driving arrests increased to 1,365 last year in Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties.
Darcy Jensen with Prairie View Prevention Services says alcohol related crashes and arrests are highest during the Holidays.
To drive home the point, and get the message out to the public, Prairie View and the Sioux Empire Safety Village held a simulated drunk driving course complete with a mock trial and sentencing for area reporters today.
Jensen says the event, held at the Law Enforcement Center in Sioux Falls, is an effort to bring public awareness to impaired driving and it's consequences. Impaired driving cases are on the rise in the community
Sioux Falls reported 283 adult and youth alcohol related crashes last year. 20% of South Dakota youth say they have ridden with someone under the influence in the last 30 days.
And according to wallethub.com, a personal finance website, South Dakota ranks as the worst state in the nation for teen drivers.