ST. PAUL— An impaired driver cutting around a school bus with its stop arm extended as kids stood nearby. Another driver arrested for their sixth driving while impaired (DWI) offense. One had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.357 — more than four times the legal limit to drive. These were just some of the alarming arrests local law enforcement made during the statewide DWI extra enforcement campaign Nov. 26 through Dec. 31.

Law enforcement officers from 296 Minnesota agencies made 2,170 DWI arrests during the campaign, with more than 24 of the agencies reporting stops involving drivers with a BAC over 0.30. These efforts were coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) using National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds.

“Every arrest represents a crash that didn’t happen, or a dangerous driver stopped before someone was hurt,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “I am grateful to the 296 participating law enforcement agencies and the individual officers, deputies and troopers whose work is making a difference and saving lives.”

Arrest highlights:

• In Eagan, officers were called to a fight between two people in a vehicle. The driver had a 0.357 BAC. Officers also discovered stolen tools, computer equipment and other suspicious items inside the vehicle.
• Spring Lake Park police arrested a driver for 0.14 BAC and charged the person with child endangerment. Officers say the impaired driver was returning home with their children from a choir concert.
• A Columbia Heights officer was kicked in the chest during a stop with an impaired driver.
• St. Paul police arrested a driver with a BAC of 0.12 on Holman Field Airport runway. He didn’t even know he was on the runway.
• South St. Paul police stopped one driver for impaired driving twice in a one-week period.

Metro area highest BAC

• Minnetonka Police Department: 0.38
• Eagan Police Department: 0.357
• New Brighton Police Department: 0.33
• St. Paul Police Department: 0.33
• Savage Police Department: 0.32

Greater Minnesota highest BAC

• Norman County Sheriff’s Office: 0.41
• Winsted-Lester Prairie Police Department: 0.40
• Wright County Sheriff’s Office: 0.38
• Bagley Police Department: 0.36
• Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office: 0.35

DWI number arrests by agency:

• Twin cities metro area arrests
  • Minnesota State Patrol - west metro: 207
  • Minnesota State Patrol - east metro: 111
  • Minneapolis Police Department: 62
  • St. Paul Police Department: 44
  • Woodbury Police Department: 37
• Greater Minnesota area arrests
  • Rochester Police Department: 74
  • Minnesota State Patrol - Rochester district: 45
  • Bemidji Police Department: 41
  • Wright County Sheriff's Office: 41
  • Minnesota State Patrol - Virginia district: 34

View a list of participating agencies and BAC levels for more information.

Impaired is impaired

In addition to alcohol, substances ranging from cannabis and hemp-derived THC products to prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can also affect safe driving abilities. It is illegal to drive while impaired by any substance — no exceptions.