Minnesota’s Enhanced DWI Enforcement Campaign Leads to More Arrests

The results are in from Minnesota’s extra DWI enforcement campaign this past summer from August 18 through September 3, and DWI arrests increased over the previous year.

More DWI arrests were made during the campaign at 1,370 people compared to last year’s. 2016’s campaign numbers in the summer were at 1,351. Arrests are going up, and drunk driving deaths overall in Minnesota are decreasing. In 2015, there were 95 drunk driving deaths compared to 75 in 2016.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) coordinated the campaign, and says drunk driving deaths are going down because of the extra enforcement. Like the nationwide campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Minnesota law enforcement agencies band together in this high-visibility enforcement effort every season to crack down on drunk drivers. This past campaign had more than 300 Minnesota law enforcement agencies participate.

Minnesota’s Drunk Driving Ignition Interlock Law

In Minnesota, first-time DWI offenders who had a BAC level of .16 or above require an Ignition Interlock on their vehicles. Any repeat offenders also need to use the device.

According to various national studies and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), drunk driving deaths decrease with an all-offender Ignition Interlock law. Currently, 30 states and D.C. have an all-offender law for first time offenses at .08 BAC, the nationwide legal limit.

With Minnesota’s continued efforts in heightened enforcement on drunk driving, the roads will be safer.

Need an Ignition Interlock?

Smart Start can help get you back on the road. Our team will offer any current discounts and schedule same-day installation appointments. Call today at (800) 831-3299 or fill out our online form.