New DUI law On Monday, Aug. 1, a new law took effect in Minnesota dropping the legal blood alcohol limit while driving from 0.10 to 0.08. In Stearns County, Sheriff’s Deputies alone arrested 425 people last year for DUI. In addition to that, St. Cloud police arrest on average 350 to 400 people a year for DUI. These numbers don’t take into account arrests made by other city police departments in the county or the State Patrol. In the Stearns County Community Corrections Division, 1,180 DUI offenders were under the supervision of correctional officers in 2004. Although this new law could mean more arrests, law enforcement believes the real benefit of this new law is the scare factor. People will be more aware of the law and think twice about drinking and driving if they know it’s easier for them to get a DUI. The law change could serve as a deterrent. This change comes at a time when drunk driving accidents are reaching a peak in this nation. After declining in the 1990s, drunk driving accidents rose from 116 million in 1997 to 159 million in 2002. The number of people killed in drunk driving accidents has also risen from 16,573 in 1999 to 17,013 in 2003. The legal system does not take driving under the influence lightly. In fact, a DUI can be very expensive; the Minnesota Department of Public Safety says just under $20,000 approximately. Offenders lose their license, pay costly fines, they can have their vehicle repossessed, serve jail time, or possibly receive marked drunk driving plates. These are only the physical consequences of driving under the influence. There can be other consequences, not only to the driver but to others as well, especially if an accident happens. Law enforcement says regardless of what the law dictates, it’s always a wise choice not to drink at all before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. It’s important for everyone to be responsible. If you’re going to drink, call a taxi or get a designated driver to take you home; it’s safer and cheaper.
