ST. PAUL – Jordan Huver was killed 12 years ago in a crash while riding in a vehicle with an impaired driver. She was just 18 years old. To help prevent future tragedies and spare other families from a similar loss, her mother is sharing Jordan’s story as part of the statewide extra DWI enforcement and awareness campaign.

“Every time I think of losing Jordan, I think, 'What if the driver had not been drinking? What if they called an Uber?’” said Trish Wehling. “I hope and pray that everyone on the road starts to make the right decision and never drives impaired. Please plan a sober ride or offer to be one for someone else. I know the consequences of not making that choice.”

Nearly 300 local law enforcement agencies around the state are partnering with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to participate in the two-week extra DWI enforcement and awareness campaign starting Aug. 15. Law enforcement will work overtime shifts during the campaign to focus on stopping impaired drivers before they hurt or kill someone.

As of Aug. 10, more than 16,000 people have been arrested this year for driving while impaired (DWI) in Minnesota, and 65 people have died in alcohol-related crashes.

“The number of families in Minnesota torn apart by the terrible choice to drive impaired cannot be overstated. Stories like Jordan’s are far too common in our state,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “Drivers have no excuse for getting behind the wheel impaired. There are too many options; take a cab, call a friend, use public transit or a ride-sharing option — anything but getting behind the wheel impaired.”

DWI consequences upend lives

• Drivers can lose their license for up to a year, pay thousands of dollars in financial costs and possibly go to jail.
• Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above blood alcohol concentration, must use ignition interlock in order to regain legal driving privileges. The alternative is to 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.
• Drivers need to ask, do they want to be the one who makes the fatal decision that changes a family forever.

Drivers: make a plan

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

Resources:

• DriveSmartMN.org
• Traffic Safety and Cannabis Q&A

About the Minnesota Department of Public Safety

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s more than 2,400 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's 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. These efforts form a strong foundation for the statewide Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program. OTS also administers state funds for the motorcycle safety program, child seats for needy families program, school bus stop arm camera project and oversees the funding for the Advisory Council on Traffic Safety.