Designated drivers on campus who are a little bit naughty may discover that campus police will be a little bit nice.
In an effort to stem the rising tide of arrests on charges of driving under the influence, campus police began an anti-DUI campaign Thursday, said Cpl. David Skinner, a patrol officer who proposed the campaign.
When pulled over for minor traffic violations, sober designated drivers will receive a $10 gift certificate to Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar instead of getting a ticket.
What constitutes a minor traffic violation is left up to the officer making the stop.
Not using a turn signal or rolling through a stop sign could be considered minor if no one is in danger, Skinner said.
“However, if a designated driver blatantly blows through a red light, you’re going to get a ticket,” he said.
Elizabethtown junior Phillip Felli said he thinks the campaign is cool.
“It’ll give me a reason to be a designated driver,” Felli said.
Morgantown freshman Clint Beasley said he thinks the campaign is a dumb idea that goes against what police stand for: upholding the law.
Skinner said the number of DUI arrests made by campus police has risen sharply during the past three years.
There were 89 DUI arrests in 2005, 158 in 2006 and 204 last year.
Skinner attributes the rise in arrests to the aggressiveness of campus police.
“We have a bunch of young officers who really get after intoxicated drivers,” he said.
Campus police purchased the gift cards with a $500 donation from the local Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant and $500 from the Student Government Association.
Buffalo Wild Wings manager Dave Taylor said the campaign is a way to reward responsible drivers.
Buffalo Wild Wings will also give a free meal to the designated driver of a large group at the restaurant, Taylor said.
Skinner said he advises students to drink responsibly, even with a designated driver.
“An intoxicated passenger in a vehicle could still be arrested for alcohol intoxication in a public place,” Skinner said.
Reach Larry Rowell at news@chherald.com.
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