Extra Labor Day patrols lead to 10% increase in DWI arrests vs 2021

(ABC 6 News) – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety released data of the states Labor Day DWI campaign that ran from August 19 to September 5.

During the campaign, officers, deputies and troopers arrested 1,265 drivers for driving impaired compared with 1,145 during the same period in 2021.

Across Minnesota there were 292 law enforcement agencies that participated in the DWI campaign which included extra patrols, awareness and education.

Outside of the Twin Cities metro, agencies with the most DWI 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

DWI History and Statistics

• Law enforcement across the state have 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%) on Minnesota roads is drunk driving-related.
• Alcohol-related crashes cause an average of 344 life-changing injuries each year (2017-2021).

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.

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. 

To view other statistics about the DWI campaign, CLICK HERE.