Increased DWI Enforcement Over Thanksgiving Weekend

Editor's Note: The following article was submitted via press release by Lisa Kiava, communications director for the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Champlin, Dayton and Osseo police Departments will be conducting additional DWI enforcement during the Thanksgiving period — historically one of the year’s deadliest holidays on Minnesota roads.

Deputies and officers are reminding motorists to travel safely during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. In Minnesota during the Thanksgiving travel period (Wed.–Sun), 2008–2010, 16 motorists were killed and 1,834 motorists were arrested for DWI. Of the 16 deaths, six were alcohol-related and seven were unbelted occupants.

“If you plan to drink – you need to plan ahead for a safe and sober ride home,” says Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, “There’s no excuse for driving impaired and putting lives at risk on our roads.”

Follow this traffic safety recipe to ensure safe Thanksgiving travel:

• Buckle up before and after you gobble up.
• Plan for enough travel time to avoid the urge to speed — the posted speed is the speed limit.
• Pay attention. Do not engage in distracted driving activities -- such as texting. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods.

In addition to impaired driving, the enforcement effort will include focus on the state’s seat belt law — drivers and all passengers in any seat must be belted or in the correct child restraint to avoid being stopped and ticketed. Each year, around 75 percent of drinking drivers killed also are not belted.

A DWI offense can result in loss of license for up to a year, thousands in costs and possible jail time. Stronger DWI sanctions are in effect for all repeat DWI offenders, as well as for motorists arrested for a first-time DWI with an alcohol-concentration level of 0.16 and above. Under these sanctions, DWI offenders must use ignition interlock for at least a year or face at least one year without driving privileges. Interlock requires a driver to provide a breath sample under 0.02 for the vehicle to start. Safety officials say interlock ensures DWI offenders are driving legally and safely. Potential participants of program can learn more at www.minnesotaignitioninterlock.org.