The Eden Prairie Police Department is ramping up efforts to prevent impaired driving as part of a statewide holiday enforcement campaign, the department announced in a Dec. 17 blog post. The initiative, which runs through the end of December, is part of a broader effort led by the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety.
Eden Prairie police will join officers from across the state in increasing patrols to identify and arrest impaired drivers. The department emphasized that each impaired driving arrest could potentially save a life — whether it’s the driver, their passengers, or other road users.
So far in 2024, Eden Prairie officers have made 199 arrests for driving while impaired (DWI).
The department noted that impaired driving is not limited to alcohol consumption. Cannabis, hemp-derived THC products, prescription medications, and sleep aids can also impact driving abilities. Those under the influence are urged to find a sober ride and avoid getting behind the wheel.
“Crashes where alcohol or drugs are involved can have lasting consequences,” the department stated in the blog. “A DWI can lead to loss of license for up to a year, along with thousands of dollars in costs and possible jail time. In addition, repeat offenders and those arrested at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 and above must use ignition interlock to regain driving privileges.”
Eden Prairie police also shared tips for staying safe during holiday celebrations:
• Plan a safe and sober ride in advance.
• Volunteer to be a designated driver.
• Stop someone you know from driving impaired and help them find a safe ride home.
• Always wear your seatbelt, which is the best defense against impaired drivers.
• Call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers, providing location details, license plate numbers, and observed behaviors.
The department reminded residents that Minnesota law prohibits not only drinking alcohol in a vehicle but also opening cannabis packaging or consuming cannabis while driving.
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