DWI Enforcer All-Stars Honored for Saving Lives,
Stopping Bad Decisions From Turning Tragic
Aug. 11, 2022
Minnesota’s latest DWI Enforcer All-Star team hit it out of the park this week during the Twin’s game at Target Field. Actually, they hit it out of the park all of last year, which is why our Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) took the DWI Enforcer All-Stars out to the ball game to thank them for their hard work saving lives. Featuring 61 team members from law enforcement agencies across the state, the DWI Enforcer All-Stars kept all of us safe by taking impaired drivers off the road throughout 2021.
The All-Star team made a combined 4,193 DWI arrests across Minnesota in 2021, contributing to the more than 24,000 DWI arrests made by all law enforcement last year.
“When you see these DWI arrest numbers, think about how each number represents a potential life-saver,” said DPS-OTS Director Mike Hanson.
In the last five years, there were 459 drunk driving-related traffic deaths in Minnesota.
Each time a law enforcement officer pulls over an impaired driver, that officer is removing a danger from the road. Alcohol, cold medicine, prescription medication, recently legalized THC edible products or any other drug can contribute to impairment, and that can lead to crash fatalities or serious injuries.
Alcohol-related crashes not only take lives, they change them forever. An average of 344 life-changing injuries are caused by alcohol-related crashes each year.
Officer Patrick Bendel of the Red Lake Police Department threw the first pitch at the game. Bendel claimed the top enforcer spot for the second year in a row, leading the team with 248 arrests.
“I’m thankful for the work of the entire All-Star Enforcer team and law enforcement statewide in stopping bad decisions from turning tragic,” Bendel said. “Every life on the road is valued, and every person deserves to feel safe behind the wheel and get home safely.”
The drugged driving numbers are staggering. Those arrests account for 6,769 incidents from 2012 to 2016 compared with 15,133 from 2017 to 2021. That’s a 123 percent increase over a five-year period.
Give a round of applause for our All-Stars and do what you can to help them out. Designate a sober driver, speak up when you see an impaired person about to get behind the wheel and refrain from drinking alcohol or taking drugs – legal or illegal – if you plan to drive.
