Nothing kills a buzz like getting pulled over! And it could cost you $20,000.00 in legal fees, court costs, and higher insurance rates.
Buzzed. Busted. Broke.
“Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” supports the efforts of law enforcement to help keep us safe. Parties and family gatherings can create special memories, but for some, the memories are painful after losing a loved one to a drunk driver. The influence of alcohol or drugs can impact an individual’s judgment, conduct, personal well-being, and the well-being of others. Driving under the influence (DUI) may happen when an individual operates, drives, or maintains control of a vehicle, such as a car, motorcycle, boat, snowmobile, ATV, motorbike, off-road vehicle, or any other motorized transport, while impaired.
Quick Facts
- In 2021, 24,324 DWI arrests were made.
- In 2021, 74 people died due to impaired driving. This was a decrease in deaths from 2020 with 79 deaths.
- About 1 in 7 Minnesotans has at least one DWI
- In 2021, 72% of DWI offenders were male and half of them were aged between 20-34 years old.
DWI Consequences
- Loss of license for up to a year, thousands of dollars in costs and possible jail time.
- Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level, 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.
Tips to Prevent Drunk Driving
- Plan for a safe ride – designate a sober driver, use a cab/public transportation or stay at the location of the celebration.
- Offer to be a designated driver, or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere.
- Buckle up – the best defense against a drunk driver.
- Report drunk driving – call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Be prepared to provide location, license plate number and observed dangerous behavior.
Drugged Driving
Various substances, including over-the-counter medications, prescribed drugs, marijuana, inhalants, and illegal substances, have the potential to impair a person’s ability to drive. For instance, opioids and benzodiazepines can induce drowsiness, potentially leading to reduced alertness while operating a vehicle. Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine may trigger aggression and reckless behavior behind the wheel. Inhalants can result in dizziness and impaired coordination, impacting one’s driving capabilities. Marijuana consumption can slow reaction times, increase lane-swerving tendencies, and cause distractions while driving. It’s noteworthy that driving under the influence of marijuana stands as the 2nd most common DWI offense.
Definitions
- Driving While Impaired (DWI) is a violation for driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Alcohol-related: any evidence of alcohol detected in a driver, pedestrian or bicyclist.
- Impaired-related: any driver, pedestrian or bicyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above.
- Drunk-driving-related: any driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above.
Sources:
https://dps.mn.gov
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/alcohol/basics/impaireddriving
Additional Resources:
CDC Motor Vehicle Safety: Impaired Driving
Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths Initiative (MN TZD)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Drug-Impaired Driving
National Institute on Drug Abuse: Drugged Driving
“Talk. They Hear You” Resources on the Dangers of Alcohol and Using Other Drugs