More than 2,200 people were arrested for DWI over the holiday season during Minnesota’s extra enforcement campaign.

The campaign ran from Nov 23, the day before Thanksgiving, through New Year’s Eve, and netted 2,228 arrests, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.  The numbers are up slightly from 2021.

Troopers, deputies, and officers participated in the campaign, which is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and includes extra patrols.

DPS highlighted several arrests in southern Minnesota during the campaign, including a 37-year-old driver who was stopped by Faribault police for speeding.  Police say the man was arrested for DWI with a .15 blood-alcohol level (BAC) and five children under the age of 15 were in the car.  Four of the five children weren’t wearing seat belts and the man’s driving privileges were revoked, according to DPS.

Drug-related DWI arrests were also made in Watonwan and Redwood counties.

The highest BAC recorded in Greater Minnesota during the campaign was .38 in Dodge and Swift counties.

 

 

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