Police Agencies On The Look Out For Drunk and Drugged Drivers

(KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety says law enforcement agencies are cracking down on impaired driving during the holiday season.

The campaign begins on Wednesday and runs through New Year’s Eve. The night before Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the busiest for bars throughout the entire year.

The agency says 50 people died in the state as the result of a DWI accident in the holiday period between 2018 and 2022. Law enforcement lists 11,000 incidents across Minnesota in that same time period.

While drugged driving isn’t as significant an issue, it is spiking at a significantly higher rate than alcohol-related citations. It totaled 15,810 incidents from 2018 to 2022. That is 96% higher than the five years between 2013 and 2017.

The department recommends that you use a designated driver or ride-sharing service. Speak up if you see someone about to get behind the wheel when they are obviously not in good enough shape to drive home.

Never drive high and do not use drugs, even legal ones like marijuana, while operating a vehicle. It also suggests that you buckle up as a way to try to defend yourself against a drunk driver and call 911 if you see any suspicious or reckless behavior.

The consequences for being convicted of a DWI offense include thousands of dollars in fines, loss of your license, and potential jail time.

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