More than 18,000 Minnesotans have been arrested and charged with driving while impaired in 2018, and that number steadily grew during the recent DUI crackdown, which ran from August 17 through September 2. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety’s twitter page, there have been 18,568 DUI arrests in Minnesota in 2018, and there were nearly 300 last weekend alone.
“We want to keep the streets and the county roads safety for everyone to travel,” said Lt. George Pufahl of the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, who participated in the recent crackdown.
Here is the infographic that the Minnesota DPS OTS tweeted out over the weekend.
18,000+ DWI arrests so far this year in Minnesota. Really? It’s never been easier to line up a sober ride or find a safe ride home. #MNDWIs #SoberRide #DriveSober pic.twitter.com/CwiSI2vd9v
— MN Traffic Safety (@MnDPS_OTS) September 10, 2018
Law enforcement noted that the majority of DWIs were alcohol related, but there has also been a slight uptick in the number of people arrested for driving under the influence of prescription medications, heroin or meth. As we mentioned in this blog post, you can still end up facing DWI charges if your prescription medication affects your ability to drive safely.
“There’s a concern, too, if you have a combination of two different medications, that can also affect you differently,” said Minnetonka police officer Trevor Johnson. “The problem is they’re still impaired. It doesn’t always matter if it was an intentional abuse or not.”
Another Enforcement Begins
Police are still going to be on the lookout for suspected drunk drivers, but the extra enforcement has shifted to a different way of keeping drivers safe. Beginning today, Minnesota police are participating in a statewide Click It or Ticket campaign, which will run through September 25.
“Life is so unpredictable, but there’s an easy way to remove uncertainty, at least while you’re on the road: buckle up,” said Mike Hanson, Office of Traffic Safety director. “Until everyone chooses to wear their seat belts, that uncertainty about safety will never go away. Not for the driver, the passenger or the family waiting at home. We all need to expect the unexpected on the road and control what we can by simply buckling up.”
If you’re pulled over by police and you’re not wearing a seat belt, don’t expect to be let off with a warning. Although the base fine amount for driving without a seat belt is only $25, that can easily jump to triple digits when additional court and filing fees are tacked on. Aside from the hit to the wallet, you’re also much more likely to suffer a severe injury or death if you get behind the wheel without buckling up.
So whether you or a family member faces a charge for driving under the influence or for failing to buckle up, let Avery Appelman and his team of experienced lawyers defend you against the charges. He has a wealth of experience challenging DUIs and lesser traffic citations in the court of law, and he can help save your driver’s license and your wallet in your time of need. For a free consultation, reach out to his office at (952) 224-2277.
