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State Police Say More Troopers Are Needed To Combat Drunk Driving

BOSTON (CBS) - The Registry of Motor Vehicles says the number of drunken driving arrests in Massachusetts has declined in the past five years.

Fewer drunken driving arrests sounds encouraging, but it may not be that people are wising up, and sobering up before they drive.

State Police spokesman David Procopio says they've lost about 500 troopers through attrition since 2006.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Laurie Kirby reports

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The registry found there were roughly 14,800 OUI offenses last year, down 3,000 since 2008.

Procopio says State Police have not wavered one bit in their commitment to getting drunk drivers of the roads before they kill an innocent person or themselves.

He says they need more state troopers on the road to combat drunken driving, which is one of the most important priorities of the department. He hopes a new class of recruits this fall will remedy the hundreds of state troopers lost through attrition over the last few years.

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