Last week an EPPD officer pulled over a vehicle that was going 80 mph in a 60 mph zone on I-494.
The officer noticed the driver had seven children in the car. He also noticed that she smelled of alcohol and had glassy eyes. A breath test showed her blood alcohol content was .12, more than the legal limit of .08. She was arrested for Child Endangerment as well as 3rd Degree DWI, Careless Driving and Speed. Luckily, in this case, no one was hurt, but to date in Minnesota, alcohol has been a contributing factor in 96 traffic deaths so far in 2023.
From now through the end of December, the EPPD is participating in an impaired driving enforcement campaign as part of a statewide effort spearheaded by the MN Office of Traffic Safety. Along with officers from across the state, we will increase our efforts to stop impaired drivers during the holiday season.
Every time an officer arrests a driver for DWI, they may be saving a life – either that of the driver, their passengers or other innocent drivers on the road. To date in 2023, Eden Prairie officers have arrested 236 people for DWI. That’s almost five DWI arrests per week.
It’s easy to enjoy a festive and safe celebration without jeopardizing your life or the lives of others. Here are a few tips:
Plan ahead if you’ll be drinking and arrange a safe way home before the festivities begin.
Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.
If you’re impaired, call a taxi or ridesharing program, use public transportation, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
If you see a drunk driver on the road, promptly call 911. You could save someone’s life.
Remember, friends don’t let friends drive drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
