People Are Still Driving Drunk During MN Stay Home Order

MINNESOTA — Weekly DWI arrests significantly decreased when Minnesota's Stay Home order went into effect in March. However, drunk driving arrests are trending upward as the quarantine continues.

"One positive from the governor’s stay at home order seemed to be the initial drop in DWI arrests," the state Department of Safety said in a statement. "Sadly, those numbers have steadily increased each weekend. Here is a breakdown of DWIs each weekend since March 20 in Minnesota."

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DWI arrests are increasing:

• May 1-4: 164
• April 24-27: 143
• April 17-20: 133
• April 10-13: 118
• April 3-6: 109
• March 29-April 1: 94
• March 20-23: 126

The average number of DWI arrests each weekend before COVID-19 was 265.

Traffic deaths rise

While traffic volumes have been down over the past several weeks, fatal crashes are up from previous years. Reduced traffic on Minnesota roads due to the stay at home order doesn’t mean reduced distractions and doesn’t give drivers a license to speed on the open road, officials note.

• The last reported fatality on Minnesota roads was on May 4.
• To date there have been 93 fatalities on Minnesota roads compared with 92 at this time last year.
• Troopers issued 78 citations between March 27 and April 13 for speeds of 100-plus mph. They issued 22 tickets during that same time period last year.

Fatal crashes continue March 16-May 4

• 2020: 41 (45 deaths)
• 2019: 33 (35 deaths)
• 2018: 38 (41 deaths)
• 2017: 35 (36 deaths)
• 2016: 42 (44 deaths)
• 2015: 50 (53 deaths)