As we mentioned in the days leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, police were going to be out in full force looking for drunk drivers and other dangerous driving maneuvers. Despite our warnings, Minnesota still saw an increase in the number of individuals arrested for drunk driving over the Thanksgiving holiday.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, there were 143 arrests for Driving While Intoxicated between midnight and 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving.
When compared to a similar tweet from last year, which said that 137 people had been arrested for DWI during the same period, it seems that we saw an increase in the number of people who were booked for DWI in the pre-dawn hours of Thanksgiving. Police say these early morning DWIs are the result of what’s commonly referred to as “Blackout Wednesday.”
“Blackout Wednesday is one of the most dangerous nights on Minnesota roads,” said Lt. Gordon Shank of the Minnesota State Patrol. “I’ve worked Blackout Wednesday a number of years, and I get frustrated every time I make a DWI arrest where a driver could have easily planned for a sober ride. I’m thankful I was able to get the driver off the road to prevent a potential tragedy, but making the right choice before I meet you will help save lives.”
New Enforcement Announced
The extra enforcement on the roads hasn’t ended just because Thanksgiving has come and gone. According to the Department of Public Safety, Minnesota police will continue the extra enforcement through December 29. More than 300 agencies across the state will participate in the program.
The extra enforcement is only planned during weekends until the 29th, but police believe the enforcement will help cut down on individuals who drink and drive during the holidays. They are trying to make their presence known so that party-goers will make good decisions if they’ve had too much eggnog.
“As people host holiday parties, it’s crucial for everyone to have a plan before consuming alcohol,” said Mike Hanson, Office of Traffic Safety director. “As your guests arrive, ask them about their plans, and if they don’t have a plan, get them a ride home or offer them a bed for the night. It’s much better to lie in a bed than a coffin or jail cell.”
If you or someone you know ends up making a regretful decision when it comes to drinking and driving this season, or you just need legal help for another issue, do yourself a favor and contact the lawyers at Appelman Law Firm. We answer our phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information or to set up a free case review session, click here or call our office at (952) 224-2277.
