Local DUI arrests on New Year's Eve nearly tripled from last year, but the numbers were so low in 2007 that it wasn't a significant increase.

Eleven drivers were charged on New Year's Eve or early New Year's Day with driving under the influence in Bismarck, Mandan and Burleigh and Morton counties. There were just four arrests during the same time last year.

Bismarck led the way with eight DUI arrests, followed by one each in Mandan, Morton and Burleigh.

The Bismarck Police Department had two extra officers on duty to handle what amounted to a lot of extra calls about loud parties, fights and the DUIs. But the number of drunk-driving arrests wasn't up sharply from what officers here can see on a regular night shift, Sgt. Dean Dassinger said.

"Over the last few years it's been three or four arrests, give or take, so it's up from that," Dassinger said. "But even on certain random nights we can end up with (eight)."

The numbers jibe with what Bismarck Police Sgt. Dwight Offerman said a few days ago - that a barrage of messages about drinking responsibly have turned a traditional party night into a safer affair.