Extra DWI enforcement aims to stop drunk drivers before the worst happens
Nov. 21, 2023
Sgt. Kyle Puelston of the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office shares his experience of being struck by a drunk driver.Sgt. Kyle Puelston was patrolling for impaired drivers Dec. 4, 2020, when one found him, striking his squad vehicle on the side of the road.
Puelston suffered a traumatic brain injury in the crash and spent months in recovery. The Chisago County Sheriff's deputy was forced to rest in a quiet, dark room, hardly even spending time with his wife and children. The hardest part was not knowing if or when his brain would heal.
“Driving drunk has taken my friends, it has caused me significant grief, and this crash has caused me to lose wages, health and, most importantly, time with family over the holidays that I will never get back," Puelston said. “I'm tired. I'm tired of seeing drunk drivers take lives and take the quality of life away from people."
This photo shows the back of Sgt. Kyle Puelston's squad vehicle after it was hit by a drunk driver.Stories like Puelston's are why troopers, deputies and police officers are participating in a statewide campaign that includes extra DWI enforcement from the day before Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve. Their goal? Stopping drivers who appear impaired before the worst happens. Our Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is coordinating the enforcement, education and awareness campaign with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Visit our DPS Facebook page to learn more reasons why public safety officials work so hard to stop impaired drivers through the “What's your why" campaign.
Over the past five years (2018-2022), more than 120,000 people have been arrested for DWI.
Each DWI risks the loss of a license for up to a year, thousands of dollars in fines and possible jail time. Repeat offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above blood alcohol-concentration, must use an ignition interlock device to regain their driving privileges.
Even with all those costs, it's still better than what could happen in a crash. Getting behind the wheel while impaired, whether it's by alcohol or other substances, is incredibly dangerous. From 2017-2021, 49 people died in drunk driving-related crashes between the day before Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.
Alcohol-related crashes not only take lives, they also change them forever. Those crashes leave people with chronic pain, medical bills and other problems that follow them for years. Three years later, Puelston still occasionally suffers from head and eye pain from his crash.
There is some good news: These crashes are 100 percent preventable. The best way to save those lives is to have a sober driver. Either designate one from your group or plan for an alternative transportation option. If you see an impaired person about to get behind the wheel, speak up and get them a safe ride home.
Also, don't forget to buckle up. It's the best defense against impaired drivers.
