It's one thing to know that driving while impaired (DWI) is dangerous and illegal; it's another to see the number of crashes and arrests on a map of Minnesota and know each one represents a possible tragedy.

Our Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) launched a new version of the DWI Dashboard in October, updating the map-driven tool and making it available to you for the first time.

“We're bringing data together in a way we hope will help both law enforcement and the public gain a better understanding of the impact of impaired driving on Minnesota communities," BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said. “This also brings important data to community-driven prevention efforts."

The dashboard was created in 2016 with funding from our Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and includes data from the BCA's eCharging system and the OTS MNCrash system. For the past eight years, law enforcement agencies have used it to identify trends in crashes and arrests related to impaired driving that could help them plan prevention and response efforts. The same exact tool is now available for you to use.

It's a tool for everyone. It gives law enforcement agencies the information they need to put their resources to the best use and allows communities to identify impaired driving hotspots to inform training opportunities and other prevention efforts.

It's also for you. You can use the map to become better informed about the extent of the impaired driving problem in your own community and the dangers it poses for yourself, your loved ones and your neighbors. You can get information for the entire state or narrow it down to your city, township or county. The system allows you to download your search results in Excel, CSV and other formats.

It's hard to argue with the data: There were 2,196 DWI arrests and 255 crashes where a driver was impaired, just in September of this year. The numbers show how important it is to make a plan to protect yourself and others on the road.

Keep yourself safe:

• Designate a sober driver, use a safe, alternative transportation option, or stay at the location of the celebration you are attending.
• Speak up. Offer to be a designated driver or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere. If you see an impaired person about to get behind the wheel, get them a safe ride home.
• If you plan to drive, refrain from drugs, whether legally or illegally obtained. If you feel different, you drive different.
• If you don't yet know how a medication will affect your judgment, coordination and reaction time, either have someone else drive or wait to take it until after you get home.
• Buckle up. It's the best defense against impaired drivers.