Minnesota law enforcement make 2,200 DWI arrests over holiday enforcement campaign

(ABC 6 News) – Minnesota law enforcement kept roads safe over the holiday season by making 2,228 DWI arrests, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

Troopers, deputies, and police officers statewide participated in the holiday campaign from Nov. 23 through Dec. 31, 2022. The numbers compare to the 2021 holiday campaign when 2,012 DWI arrests were made.

The highest BAC reported in greater Minnesota, not counting the Twin Cities metro, was 0.38 by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office.

The agency with the most DWI arrests in greater Minnesota was the Minnesota State Patrol Rochester district with 70. The Rochester Police Department made 31 DWI arrests.

“When a person is impaired, smart decisions aren’t going to happen. Law enforcement saw that repeatedly during the holiday DWI campaign,” said OTS director Mike Hanson. “One bad decision can put so many people at risk. Thankfully, law enforcement stopped those decisions from further endangering lives. Plan a safe ride home if you’re going to drink, take medications or consume other drugs like THC edibles that may put you at risk of a DWI.”

Nearly 1 out of every 3 deaths (31%) on Minnesota roads is related to drunk driving. In the last five years, 620 people lost their lives on Minnesota’s roads in drunk driving-related incidents, according to OTS data.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety OTS coordinates the campaign with funding provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The campaign includes extra patrols and advertising in support of the Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program.