DUI arrest efforts in RI ramped up over holiday weekend

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — Police throughout Rhode Island increased their efforts of cracking down on DUIs over Labor Day weekend.

“We’d rather arrest someone and save their lives than, unfortunately, what happens much too often,” North Kingstown police Lt. Donald Barrington, who helps lead the state’s DUI taskforce, told 12 News.

Barrington described this type of enforcement over Labor Day weekend as requiring an all-hands-on-deck approach.

“End of the summer, people having their last bash,” Barrington said. “Their out there drinking and, unfortunately, making bad decisions and driving when they shouldn’t be.”

Barrington added that departments had extra officers looking for impaired drivers over the weekend.

“It’s kind of like a beehive affect,” he said. “You’re never getting away from the police out there.”

According to RI State Police , 13 DUI arrests were made throughout the state so far over the holiday weekend.

NEXT: Cranston man accused of DUI crash with child in backseat

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