Crime & Safety

Sheriff: Plan A Sober Ride this Holiday Weekend

Law enforcement agencies throughout the state are ramping up DWI enforcement this holiday season.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is urging motorists to plan a sober ride this holiday weekend, and throughout the rest of the year.

According to a release, to combat drunk driving, law enforcement agencies throughout Minnesota are adding extra DWI patrols this holiday season. The increased enforcement began Wednesday, Nov. 27 and runs through December.

The sheriff's office is sharing the following facts and statistics from Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety:

In Minnesota during the Thanksgiving travel period (Wednesday through Sunday), 2010–2012:

  • Seven people were killed on the roads—five were motorists, of which three were not buckled.
  • Five of the seven people killed were a result of a drunk driving crash.
  • 1,522 motorists were arrested for DWI.

Minnesota Drunk Driving Facts

  • 104 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in 2012.
  • 2,644 people suffered injuries in alcohol-related crashes in 2012.
  • 28,418 people were arrested for DWI in 2012—the average alcohol-concentration was 0.154.

DWI Consequences

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A DWI offense can result in loss of license for up to a year, thousands in costs and possible jail time.

Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level, must use ignition interlock in order to regain legal driving privileges, or face at least one year without a driver’s license.

Find out what's happening in Lake Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Have a happy and safe holiday weekend.

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