A recent campaign to crack down on impaired driving in Minnesota resulted in more than 2,400 drunk driving arrests in just seven days across the state. While that number is down from the 2,502 arrests in that same period in 2015, the numbers are evidence that driving while intoxicated is still a major problem in the area….
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More than 300 agencies participated in the drunk driving campaign that was held from November 23, 2016, through the end of the year. According to reports, 11 law enforcement agencies in the state said they had made at least one arrest for a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.30 percent or higher during the crackdown. The highest BAC reported during this period was 0.38 percent, with that arrest occurring in South St. Paul. The Minnesota State Patrol in District 2400, which is in the Oakland area, conducted the most arrests. In fact, that agency alone made 341 arrests for DWI. The highest BAC they reported was 0.32 percent. In Mankato, 25 DWI arrests were made by local police with an additional eight drunk drivers being pulled over by the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Department and another 23 arrests being made by the State Patrol District, which is based in Mankato.
In Minnesota, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or greater. According to the Southern Minnesota News, approximately 620,000 individuals in the state have at least one drunk driving conviction. That equals about one in seven licensed drivers. Over 12,000 Minnesota drivers have had at least six convictions for drunk driving, and one person reportedly has a whopping 26 DUIs on record.
The Effects of Alcohol Intoxication
While alcohol consumption affects each individual differently, the typical effects of alcohol intoxication at varying BAC levels include the following:
- At 0.07-0.09 percent BAC, individuals may experience impaired balance, judgment, and speech, and reduced reaction time.
- An individual with a BAC between 0.10 and 0.125 percent will often suffer from significant impairment of motor skills and reaction time.
- At 0.25 percent BAC, people begin to experience severe impairment of all physical, mental, and sensory functions.
- With a BAC of 0.35 percent, individuals are at risk of falling into a coma. This level of intoxication is similar to surgical anesthesia.
Hire a DWI Attorney
If you are facing a DWI charge, it is imperative to hire an experienced Mankato DWI attorney to fight for you. The attorneys a Kohlmeyer Hagen Law Offices have the know how to help you. Call to schedule your consultation today. 507-405-2442.