ST. PAUL – Catch a fly ball on the field and a player can save the game. Catch a drunk driver on the road and an officer can save a life. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety is recognizing 39 law enforcement officers and prosecutors as DWI Enforcer All-Stars during the Minnesota Twins pre-game activities at Target Field. Tonight’s event is sponsored by AAA.
The All-Stars represent 31 agencies and, in 2014, they made 2,281 DWI arrests across Minnesota, helping prevent fatalities and life-changing injuries. This is the eighth Minnesota All-Star team selected for outstanding service in enforcement and prosecution of drunk driving.
Top All-Stars Keeping Roads Safe
Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Peter Schultz claims the top spot with 199 DWI arrests in 2014. For the second year in a row, Santiago Rodriguez of the St. Paul Police Department led metro-area law enforcement agencies with 144 DWI arrests, and Chad Myers of the Winona County Sheriff’s Office topped the greater Minnesota agencies with 83 life-saving stops.
“While alcohol is the top factor in Minnesota traffic fatalities, most motorists don’t drive impaired,” said Donna Berger, Office of Traffic Safety director. “More drivers in Minnesota are committed to finding a sober ride, and for those who don’t, we’re grateful to the All-Stars and all of law enforcement for protecting our safety.”
DWI Enforcer All-Stars and Number of 2014 DWI Arrests
Greater Minnesota All-Stars
- Jeff McCormack, Austin Police - 67
- Nick Bengtson, Carver County Sheriff - 35
- Alex Schilke, East Grand Forks Police - 26
- Tim Dirkes, Grand Rapids Police - 36
- Quinton Pomplun, Kandiyohi County Sheriff - 30
- Michael Schei, Nobles County Sheriff - 27
- Jeff Burbank, Red Wing Police - 57
- Brady Stough, Redwood Falls Police - 17
- Doug Best, Renville County Sheriff - 17
- Mitchell Jenson, Rochester Police - 73
- Dallas Hamm, Rock County Sheriff - 17
- Brent Zuhlsdorf, Sacred Heart Police - 17
- Joe Jensen, Sauk Center Police - 28
- Cody Vojacek, Stearns County Sheriff - 54
- Ben Tureson, Thief River Falls Police - 24
- Jon Beck, Windom Police - 18
- Chad Myers, Winona County Sheriff - 83
- Les Ladewig, Winona Police - 38
- Aaron Jones, Mower County Prosecutor
- Nate Timm, Goodhue County Sheriff Drug Recognition Evaluator
- Aaron Dix, Minnesota State Patrol - 91
- Grant Feddersen, Minnesota State Patrol - 76
Twin Cities All-Stars
- Tim Tourville, Crystal Police - 45
- Brant Standridge, Dayton Police - 40
- Todd Groves, Eden Prairie Police - 65
- James W. Golgart, Junior, Minneapolis Police - 90
- Jeremy Brodin, Newport Police - 42
- Alex Weber, Robbinsdale Police - 50
- Robert Calvin, Savage Police - 21
- Santiago Rodriguez, St. Paul Police - 144
- Eric Gadbois, White Bear Lake Police - 70
- Tori Stewart, Dakota County Prosecutor
- Megan Thul, Minnesota State Patrol Drug Recognition Evaluator
- Mark Hibbard, Minnesota State Patrol - 122
- Jill Krause, Minnesota State Patrol - 127
- Andrew Martinek, Minnesota State Patrol - 118
- Kyle O'Shea, Minnesota State Patrol - 133
- Gordon Shank, Minnesota State Patrol - 184
- Peter Schultz, Minnesota State Patrol - 199
DWI Arrests and Deaths on the Decline
Through education, enhanced enforcement and awareness, an increasing number of motorists are choosing to drive sober. According to preliminary numbers, DWI arrests declined in Minnesota for the eighth straight year, with a 40 percent drop in 2014 compared with 2006.
DWI HISTORY2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
25,258 |
26,012 |
28,666 |
29,525 |
30,112 |
32,998 |
35,871 |
38,769 |
42,016 |
The overall trend also shows fewer people are losing their lives because of drunk driving. In 2014, 88 people died from drunk driving-related crashes, a 21 percent decline compared with 2010 when 112 people were killed.
DWI ConsequencesA DWI offense can result in loss of license for up to a year, thousands of dollars in costs and possible jail time. Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level, must use
ignition 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 use interlock for three to six years, or they will never regain driving privileges.
Commit to a Sober Ride
- Plan for a safe ride — designate a sober driver, use a cab/public transportation or stay at the location of the celebration.
- Offer to be a designated driver or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere.
- Buckle up — the best defense against a drunk driver.
- Report drunk driving — call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Be prepared to provide location, license plate number and observed dangerous behavior.
Definitions
- Driving While Impaired (DWI) is a violation for driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Alcohol-related: any evidence of alcohol detected in a driver, pedestrian or bicyclist.
- Impaired-related: any driver, pedestrian or bicyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above.
- Drunk driving-related: any driver with a BAC of .08 or above.
About the Minnesota Department Public Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) comprises 11 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
About the Office of Traffic Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) designs, implements and coordinates federally funded traffic safety enforcement and education programs to improve driver behaviors and reduce the deaths and serious injuries that occur on Minnesota roads. OTS also administers state funds for the motorcycle safety program and for the child seats for needy families program.
OTS is an anchoring partner of the state’s
Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) traffic safety program. A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes – education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency medical and trauma response.
Recent OTS Activity and Statistics
- The Minnesota Department of Public Safety recently produced a video about the dangers of distracted driving called: Shattered Dreams: Distracted Driving Changes Lives.
- Minnesota law enforcement officers cited 7,393 motorists for lack of seat belt use from May 18 – 31. That compares to 10,874 seat belt citations during the 2014 campaign.
- Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2013 is a summary of traffic crashes, derived from law enforcement reports and describes how, why and where crashes occurred and who was involved.
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