Seven drivers chose not to get behind the wheel sober during enforcement campaign

Local law enforcement officers arrested seven drunk drivers during a nationwide end-of-summer DWI enforcement effort, August 17th–September 3rd. Around 400 law enforcement agencies across Minnesota participated in the state’s effort conducted by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety.

Participating agencies in Dodge County were: Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, which made five arrests, and the Kasson Police Department, which made two arrests.

Each year in Minnesota, nearly 30,000 motorists are arrested for DWI — there were 104 arrests in Dodge County in 2011. During the last three years in the state, 2009–2011, 344 people were killed in drunk driving crashes — nearly one-third of 1,200 total deaths. In Dodge County during this period, drunk driving resulted in four serious injuries and one death.

“We can make progress and advance the fight against drunk driving by taking simple, preventable steps, and step one is to always plan ahead for a sober ride,” says Kasson Officer Josh Hanson.

A DWI offense can result in loss of license for up to a year, thousands in costs and possible jail time.
Certain DWI offenders are also eligible to use ignition interlock. Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level, must use 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 install interlock and use for three to six years, or they will never regain driving privileges.

In Dodge County, 12 drivers use ignition interlock.  Users must provide a breath sample into the interlock with an alcohol concentration below 0.02 in order for the vehicle to start.

Window clings were posted around the community by the Dodge County Toward Zero Death (TZD) Coalition to support the DWI enforcement campaign.  The “Don’t be what you drink” window clings, with messages like “Beer mugged” and “Screwed driver,” were created by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.  Bar coasters with these messages were distributed to area pubs, saloons, and bars in Dodge County as well.

The Dodge County Toward Zero Deaths Coalition encourages people to utilize these safe driving behaviors:

• Plan for a safe ride — designate a sober driver, use a cab/public transportation, or stay at the location of the celebration. Families should let each other know that they will be available to offer a safe ride home.

• Buckle up and wear protective motorcycle gear — the best defenses against an impaired driver.

• Report impaired driving — call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Witnesses must be prepared to provide location, license plate and observed dangerous behavior.