ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Public Safety released the 2011 Minnesota Drunk Driving Report.
The DPS's Office of Traffic Safety released its final 2011 drunk driving data. The report says that there were 111 drunken driving deaths, marking a 40 percent reduction in such deaths from 185 a decade ago.
Despite the progress, drunk driving remains a top public safety threat, according to DPS officials.
Each year, drunken driving crashes account for one third of the state's total traffic deaths. The problem is also underscored by the 29,257 Minnesotans who were arrested for DWI in 2011, according to the report.
Officials say that one in seven drivers has a DWI on record, and 1,265 Minnesotans have 10 or more DWIs.
"The progress we've made to limit drunk driving deaths is far eclipsed by the tragedies created by this behavior every year," says Jean Ryan, impaired driving programs coordinator at DPS, in a news release. "Enforcement and education efforts are leading the change in behavior, but it takes everyone's committed responsibility to stop these preventable deaths."
In addition to enforcement and education, Ryan says innovative initiatives and legislation are supporting the movement against impaired driving, including ignition interlocks, DWI courts and safe cab programs.
The current Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs through the Labor Day holiday weekend. The effort is coordinated by DPS and is also being conducted on a national level.
Officials are stressing for Minnesotans to plan ahead for a sober ride to stop preventable alcohol-related traffic deaths.
To view the full report, click here.
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