24 impaired drivers arrested in 5 hours

A DUI enforcement blitz conducted Friday night by the Utah Highway Patrol netted 24 impaired drivers in a five-hour period.

UHP Sgt. Blaine Robbins said Sunday that 22 state troopers were assigned to locations throughout Salt Lake County. He noted the number of arrests, which occurred between the hours of 9 p.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday, is exceptional for the size of the task force.

"That's a very, very good enforcement day," Robbins said. "We're always out enforcing, but on a big weekend like this, with the number of troopers involved ... more than one arrest per trooper is outstanding."

Robbins said that dedicated UHP DUI enforcers are out on a regular basis and typically make two to three arrests per shift.

"Our DUI Squad that's out every weekend ... our 'graveyard cars' ... do very well," Robbins said.

The high number of arrests occurred in spite of UHP publicity efforts last week that warned weekend holiday travelers of heightened enforcement efforts by the department.