The Eden Prairie Police Department, along with other state law enforcement agencies, is stepping up DWI enforcement during the holiday season.
A police blog post on Dec. 27 reported that the department made 16 DWI arrests in December, bringing the total to 255 for 2023. Over the past five years, Minnesota has recorded 629 deaths related to drunk driving.
The department has issued safety tips for the community:
- Plan for a safe way home before drinking.
- Call 911 if you spot a drunk driver.
- Don’t let friends drive drunk.
Police warn that DWI offenses can lead to a year-long license suspension, high costs, and possible jail time. Repeat offenders or those arrested with a blood alcohol level of 0.16 or higher must use ignition interlock devices. Those with three or more offenses face using interlock for up to six years or losing their license permanently.
