A look at the official numbers from 2025 shows that Minnesota is trending in the right direction when it comes to DUI arrests, but distracted driving citations continue to surge across the state.
Let’s start with the good news. Drunk driving arrests in Minnesota declined for the third consecutive year according to the data. The Minnesota State Patrol said their department arrested 5,785 drivers for DUI in 2023, 5,694 in 2024 and only 5,500 in 2025. The declining DUI numbers also likely played a role in the drop in traffic deaths on Minnesota roads. According to a report by the Advisory Council on Traffic Safety, there was a 20 percent drop in overall traffic deaths in Minnesota in 2025. The number of fatalities marks the fewest traffic deaths in a year since 2019.
Distracted Driving Citations Boom
While people were drinking and driving less in 2025, it appears that many were still a danger on the road. Traffic citations by the Minnesota State Patrol for distracted driving increased for the fourth consecutive year. Here’s a look at the increase in distracted driving citations over the years in Minnesota:
2022 – 37,923
2023 – 46,267
2024 – 48,278
2025 – 51,485
“It’s mainly a hands-free violation that we’re seeing,” said Minnesota State Patrol Sergeant Troy Christianson. “We need to continue to educate people of the law and also follow it up with enforcement to make sure we keep our roads as safe as possible.”
The fact that distracted driving citations have increased almost 50 percent over a four-year period is alarming. By now, people should be aware of Minnesota’s Hands-Free law, which went into effect August 1, 2019. Despite awareness and obvious enforcement, more people are handling their phones behind the wheel than ever before. Not only can it lead to citations, but it’s also incredibly dangerous. Officials say distracted driving is one of the leading causes of fatal car accidents throughout Minnesota, along with speeding, drunk driving and unbelted driving.
If you find yourself in need of a lawyer to contest a DUI or a Hands-Free violation, look no further than the team at Appelman Law Firm. We have a wealth of experience fighting these types of traffic cases, and we’re confident that we can help you achieve a positive outcome to your case. For more information about how we can help, or to talk about your case with a lawyer before deciding how to proceed, pick up the phone and call the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
