The last thing anybody should have to worry about on the roadway is that they will encounter a drunk driver. Unfortunately, alcohol-impaired driving in Minnesota is a problem. Despite years of media campaigns to raise awareness about this issue, far too many people are injured or killed each year in drunk driving incidents.
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According to data from the latest year of reporting from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, there were more than 79,000 total vehicle crashes that resulted in 27,877 injuries and 381 fatalities. The data also shows that there were more than 26,000 total crashes that involved a drunk driver. These statistics show us that 32% of all fatal traffic crashes in Minnesota involved an alcohol-impaired driver. Alcohol-impaired crashes during the latest reporting year in Minnesota resulted in nearly 10% of all traffic crash injuries.
The statistics presented above may seem astounding, and we want to compare this data with the rest of the country. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drivers in Minnesota state they operate their vehicles after having too much to drink at a higher rate than those in the rest of the country (2.4% versus 1.9%, respectively).
However, the CDC found that Minnesota had a lower impaired driving rate of death per 100,000 population than the rest of the country. This does not mean that the state should be less relaxed about this issue.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, there were more than 26,000 driving while intoxicated (DWI) incidents during the latest reporting year in the state.
In Minnesota, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08%. This means that any driver operating at this percentage of BAC or above will most certainly be guilty of driving while intoxicated. However, as the DPS points out, motorists can be arrested for DWI at lower levels.
First-time DWI offenders could end up serving 90 days in jail and face a fine of $1,000. Depending on the circumstances of the arrest, DWI offenders could face more severe penalties. This could occur based on prior DWI arrests, the level of a person’s BAC, whether there were any children in the vehicle, and whether an accident with injuries occurred.
Those convicted of DUI also face a driver’s license revocation or cancellation, license plate impoundment, and vehicle forfeiture. Drivers may also be required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle in order to regain driving privileges.
If you or somebody you love has been injured in an accident with a drunk driver, contact an attorney immediately. At Knutson+Casey, we are ready to help you through this difficult time. Let our team investigate what happened in order to secure any compensation you are entitled to. This could include:
If you need a Mankato car accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation online or by calling us at (507) 344-8888.
Knutson and Casey Expert Legal Team
October 19, 2023
At Knutson+Casey, we take the time to understand each distinctive matter presented to us by a client in need of assistance. We make certain that our clients understand their options and can make informed decisions regarding the progress of their cases. We have 4 bar certified attorneys as well as 5 expert paralegals on staff to review all legal information and cases presented.