DWI Arrests Increase More Than 10 Percent During Extra Summer Patrols Compared with Last Summer

Extra Enforcement Results

• During the Labor Day DWI campaign from Aug. 19 through Sept. 5, officers, deputies and troopers arrested 1,265 drivers for driving impaired compared with 1,145 DWI arrests during the same period in 2021.
• 292 law enforcement agencies across Minnesota participated in the DWI campaign, which included extra patrols, awareness and education. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) coordinates the campaign with funding provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Impaired Driving Arrests

• The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office arrested a driver for DWI after they rolled their car with a 2-year-old inside. The child wasn’t hurt.
• New Brighton police arrested a driver for DWI after speeding past an unmarked squad at 100 mph.
• The Renville County Sheriff’s Office arrested a motorcyclist for 0.23 BAC. Deputies say the rider kept tipping the motorcycle over and riding in the wrong lane of traffic.
• Eden Prairie police arrested a driver for DWI after a crash involving THC gummies.
• Annandale police found a driver passed out in a running vehicle in the middle of a parking lot. They believe the driver passed out while backing out of the parking space.
• Big Lake police arrested a driver for DWI after the person crashed into a home.
• Lake Park police arrested a driver for DWI after stopping at flashing yellow early warning lights, not at the stoplight. The driver was nearly rear-ended.

Highest BAC

• Mankato Department of Public Safety Police (0.36)
• Winona Police Department (0.357)
• Ramsey Police Department (0.35)
• Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office (0.34)
• Plymouth Police Department (0.33)

DWI Arrests by Agency

In the Twin Cities metro area, agencies with the most DWI arrests during the campaign included:

• Minnesota State Patrol — District 2500 (Golden Valley): 89
• Minnesota State Patrol — District 2400 (Oakdale): 47
• Saint Paul Police Department: 42
• Richfield Police Department: 19
• Inver Grove Heights Police Department: 16

In greater Minnesota, agencies with the most arrests included:

• Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office: 35
• Minnesota State Patrol — District 2100 (Rochester): 27
• Red Lake Tribal Police: 24
• St. Cloud Police Department: 23
• Wright County Sheriff’s Office: 22

The list of participating agencies and BAC can be found here.

DWI History and Statistics

• Law enforcement across the state arrested 18,251 drivers for DWI so far in 2022 compared with 17,176 this time last year (as of Sept. 12).
• More than one of every five deaths (23 percent) on Minnesota roads is drunk driving-related.
• Alcohol-related crashes not only take lives, they change them forever. Alcohol-related crashes cause an average of 344 life-changing injuries each year (2017-2021).

DWI Consequences 

• Loss of license for up to a year, thousands of dollars in financial costs and possible jail time.
• Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above blood alcohol-concentration, must use ignition interlock in order to regain legal driving privileges or face at least one year without a driver’s license.
• Offenders with three or more offenses are required to use interlock for three to six years, or they will never regain driving privileges. 

Drive Smart: Prevent Impaired Driving

• Designate a sober driver, use a safe, alternative transportation option, or stay at the location of the celebration.
• Speak up. Offer to be a designated driver or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere. If you see an impaired person about to get behind the wheel, get them a safe ride home.
• If you plan to drive, refrain from drugs, whether legally or illegally obtained. Impaired is impaired.
• If you don't yet know how a medication will affect your judgment, coordination and reaction time, either have someone else drive or wait to take it until after you get home.
• Buckle up. It’s the best defense against impaired drivers.

Move Over Law

On Aug. 31, law enforcement also conducted enforcement for the state’s Move Over Law.

• There were 174 move over citations issued on Aug. 31 compared with 130 last year.
• This year marked the 22nd anniversary of Corporal Ted Foss’ death that led to the Move Over Law.

About the Minnesota Department Public Safety

DPS comprises 10 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.

About the Office of Traffic Safety

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) designs, implements and coordinates federally funded traffic safety enforcement and education programs to improve driver behaviors and reduce the deaths and serious injuries that occur on Minnesota roads. These efforts form a strong foundation for the statewide Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program. DPS-OTS also administers state funds for the motorcycle safety program, child seats for needy families program and school bus stop arm camera project.