Along with other law enforcement agencies around the state, Eden Prairie officers are stepping up DWI enforcement during the holidays.

To date, EPPD officers have made 16 DWI arrests in December and 255 so far in 2023. In the last five years there have been 629 drunk driving-related traffic deaths in Minnesota.

Please help keep our community safe this year by following a few simple tips:

• Plan ahead if you’ll be drinking and arrange a safe way home BEFORE you begin drinking.
• 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.

The consequences of impaired driving are significant and can include:

• Loss of license for up to a year, thousands of dollars in costs and possible jail time.
• Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level, must use ignition interlock to regain legal driving privileges or face at least one year without a driver’s license.
• Offenders with three or more offenses are required to use interlock for three to six years, or they will never regain driving privileges.

Please have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve!