D.U.I.s on the Rise

Author: Campus Editor in Chief

The Middlebury Campus has learned that local Driving Under the Influence (D.U.I) violations spiked in 2002, with arrests climbing to 80 from just 65 the year prior. The upward trend was driven by a particularly dramatic leap in the 18- to 24-year old category, which accounted for 40 violations in 2002 and 18 in 2001.

The local D.U.I statistics, tracked by the Middlebury Police Department, add urgency to the on-campus dialogue about drunken driving. Administrators and students alike perceive a shift towards more off-campus parties, which increase the likelihood that students will drive under the influence.

"I'm not surprised by the number of arrests, nor am I surprised by the increase in the 18-24 age bracket," said Student Government Association Senior Senator Maggie Goedecke '03.

She suspects more off-campus parties might be the culprit, pointing to College data that show a decline in registered, on-campus parties in the fall of 2002. "There are more students in every class going to parties off campus," she said.

Director of Public Safety Lisa Boudah noted an increase in the number of students cited for drunken driving last fall, even though that rise came amidst increased enforcement by the Middlebury Police Department.

Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley confirmed that enforcement has been stepped up in recent months. "We're out looking for indicators of someone who's under the influence," said Hanley. "We have an increased presence on the streets that we haven't had for the past few years."