Yesterday we shared a blog that discussed how the Minnesota Department of Traffic Safety’s Office of Traffic safety announced that extra DWI enforcement would continue on weekends throughout the end of the year. This was done in part to counter what Minnesota DPS-OTS Director Mike Hansen called an “unacceptable” trend in terms of DWI arrests throughout the state.
We decided to take a closer look at those trends, and we agree with Mr. Hansen. The findings paint a grim picture of the state of impaired driving here in Minnesota. We dive deeper into those DWI trends in today’s blog.
The Landscape Of Impaired Driving In Minnesota
In an article describing the DWI crackdown that will run through the remainder of the year, the Star-Tribune lays out some damning evidence as to why law enforcement feels compelled to continue the crackdown. Here are some of the more concerning pieces of DWI and overall driving data:
- Minnesota had roughly 27,000 DWI arrests last year, an increase of 4% from 2022.
- Minnesota already has more than 24,000 DWI arrests this year, and is on pace to eclipse the total from 2023.
- The average blood alcohol concentration of an individual arrested for DWI in Minnesota is 0.15, just a shade under twice the legal limit.
- There were 114 alcohol-related traffic fatalities on the roads in Minnesota in 2020. That number jumped to 145 in 2022.
- It seems like we’re on pace for a jump in alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 2024. So far 418 people have been killed on Minnesota roads this year, up 64 from the same period last year, although we don’t yet have an official tally on how many of these are alcohol-related deaths.
- Drugged driving arrests are up 92% over the last five years.
- Roughly 40% of DWI offenders in Minnesota end up reoffending.
Where to start with these numbers? Obviously COVID-19 ended up having a positive impact on the drunk driving and traffic fatalities across the state, but it seems like the trends have over-aggressively compensated for this dip. We’re once again on pace to have more DWIs at a time when finding a safe ride home is easier than it’s ever been. The light rail, taxis, Ubers, Lyfts and city buses all make it much easier to get home safe after a night of drinking or legal recreational cannabis use. However, too many people are still choosing to get behind the wheel and put their lives and the lives of everyone around them in danger.
Don’t become another statistic this holiday season. Know that police will be out in full force and will be looking for impaired drivers. We’re here to help in the event you get into trouble with Johnny Law, but we’d rather you make wise choices and have a safe and arrest-free holiday. If something goes wrong, give us a call day or night at (952) 224-2277, and we’ll be here to help.
Drive sober and ensure everyone makes it to their holiday destination safely this year. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy holiday season ~ The team at Appelman Law Firm.
