General Impaired Driving Messaging and Background
Facts
· In 2013, there were 117 “alcohol-related” fatalities. These fatalities resulted from crashes where there was evidence that at least one driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist was known to be drinking (any alcohol detected in their system). These 117 represent 30% of all traffic deaths in 2013.
· Of the 117 alcohol-related fatalities, 95 were “impaired driving-related.” Of the 95 impaired-driving related deaths, 81 were caused by a drunk driver.
· The impaired-driving related fatalities resulted from crashes where there was evidence that at least one driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist tested positive for alcohol at the .08 level or above. These 95 represent 25% of all traffic deaths in 2013.
· There were 2,300 traffic injuries in 2013 that were known to be “alcohol-related”.
· 25,719 motorists were arrested for DWI in 2013, translating to 70 DWI arrests per day in Minnesota.
· One out of every seven licensed drivers in Minnesota has a DWI on record.
· 39 percent of those who incur a first DWI will incur a second. 48 percent of those who incur a second DWI will incur a third.
· In 2013, a majority (51 percent) of DWI offenders were from the age-group 21-34. 66% of these young offenders were male.
Talking Points
Impaired driving is still a serious threat on Minnesota roads — 95 deaths in 2013 were due to “impaired driving”. And impaired driving will continue to be a threat until everyone starts making safe, smart decisions to plan for a sober ride.
Safety begins with you. It’s your responsibility to ensure you are not putting yourself or anyone else at risk. Have a plan — if you plan on partying, have a plan for a safe ride. Don’t risk it.
A DWI is a serious crime with serious consequences: It can cost as much as $20,000 when you factor court costs, lawyer fees and increased insurance premiums. You can also lose your license for up to a year and face possible jail time.
Each year in Minnesota, approximately 27,000 drivers are arrested for DWI. Currently, almost 600,000 Minnesota residents have a DWI on record — that’s one out of every seven licensed drivers in Minnesota.
…And we know there are plenty more people who have not been caught — yet. To them, the message is simple: all it takes is one time — one arrest, one crash — to turn your life upside down, ruin the lives of innocent others or your family members.
Minnesota law enforcement is adept at impaired driving enforcement. But officers can’t stop impaired driving alone. Everyone has a role to keep our roads safe — and that means never getting behind the wheel impaired. Always plan for a ride before you party, and make sure your friends don’t take the risk.
The boozing bone is connected to the not-belted bone: Each year, of the drinking drivers killed in alcohol-related crashes, 75 percent are not belted.
Biggest offenders are young males. Not surprisingly, this is also the group that is most often injured or killed.
Note on Ignition Interlock Law
Embracing technology through ignition Interlocks is the next logical step to combat impaired driving.
Requires certain DWI offenders to have interlocks installed.
Interlock devices are installed in a vehicle and require a driver to provide a breath sample in order for the vehicle to start.
The vehicle will not start if the device detects an alcohol-concentration level of 0.02 or above after the driver blows into its tube. Interlocks require rolling re-tests after the initial test, and have features to deter others from starting the vehicle for the intended user.
The legislation gives DWI offenders a chance to regain driving privileges by ensuring safe and legal driving through the use of interlocks.
Highlights of the legislation include:
· All repeat DWI offenders, and first time offenders with a 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level must use ignition interlock on any vehicle they drive to regain driving privileges. Or, they won’t have legal driving privileges for at least one year. Offenders with three or more DWIs in a 10-year period will be required to use interlocks.
· Interlock users will regain full driving privileges immediately after the offense, ensuring they are driving with a valid license and not a threat on the roadway.
· Interlocks will be used to monitor chronic DWI offenders (three or more DWIs in 10 year period) to verify chemical use.
Many benefits to the law:
· Safer roads and reduced costs through the use of ignition interlock on high-risk drivers.
· Creates a method for all offenders to obtain a valid driver's license addressing the epidemic of people driving without a valid license.
· Encourages behavior modification and rehabilitation.
· Diminishes the probability and possibility of repeat DWI.
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