According to Minnesota authorities, the holiday season can result in a high number of arrests for drunk driving. Based on this information, police intend to keep an extra close eye on motorists through the end of this year. However, it’s unclear whether more DWI arrests are made during the holidays because there are more drunk drivers on the road, or because police are simply watching more closely.
From 2011 to 2013, over 1,600 individuals were arrested for allegedly operating their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol. How many of those drivers were actually convicted was not made known. Even if a driver was not convicted, a DWI arrest can be more than enough to put a damper on the holidays and any related celebrations.
Although the apparently high number of arrests for DWI over the recent Thanksgiving holidays has been pointed to as a reason for extra enforcement, DWI arrests as a whole have gone down. In 2013, only 25,719 arrests were made. That was a decrease of over 16,000 arrests from only seven years prior.
With extra police on the lookout for potentially intoxicated drivers, it might not be surprising that DWI arrests increase around the holidays, whether a driver is actually intoxicated or not. No matter when a person is arrested for a DWI, he or she can face serious consequences, including a suspended license, possible jail time and costly fines. Careful evaluation of the charges alongside his or her counsel can be greatly beneficial in deciding how to proceed. Some people in Minnesota find that a plea deal offering lessened charges or reduced consequences may ultimately be the most favorable outcome possible. Others find preferable results from fighting the charges to his or her fullest extent throughout the entirety of the criminal court process.
Source: wctrib.com, “Extra DWI patrols on Minnesota roads to combat drunken driving Nov. 26 – Dec. 27”, Nicole Hovatter, Nov. 25, 2014
