Put Your Trust In
Like Minnesota and a disturbing number of other states, Michigan faces problems with the breathalyzers it uses during drunk-driving stops. This January, the state stopped a $1.3 million-a-year contract with the company that watches its breathalyzer machines for accuracy. Police, courts and the public generally trusted breathalyzer results without question, until recently. Now, in one story after another across the…
In most cases, courts say police cannot just take your blood and test it. The U.S. Constitution, courts say, demands police get a warrant from a judge first. But last year, by the slimmest margin possible, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with Wisconsin that the state’s “impliedly consented” law allows police to take a driver’s blood and test the alcohol…
Even after having just one drink, alcohol can begin to affect your body and mind. And while it’s always safe to have someone else drive you home, most adults still have the ability to safely make it back with a small amount of alcohol in their system. Across the nation, the legal limit for driving after consuming alcohol is a…
Getting pulled over can make anyone’s stomach drop. Even if the person is sober or well below the legal limit, field sobriety tests can be unreliable. While many are beginning to question the accuracy of chemical tests, some are beginning to wonder whether field sobriety tests should be getting the same level of scrutiny. What are the steps in a…
Since the winter of 2010-2011, only about one out of every five snowmobile deaths in Minnesota happened before New Year’s Day. In other words, about 80% of snowmobile fatalities wait until after the holiday season. Year after year, and across neighboring states, the pattern holds. Now is the right time for Minnesotans to review snowmobile safety. And among the most…
While ignition interlock devices have prevented numerous drunk driving crashes, an investigation by the New York Times finds that the gadgets have also caused many accidents. The newspaper’s investigation found that interlocks have been effective as one study concluded states mandating their use have seen 15% fewer fatalities from alcohol-related crashes. What is an ignition interlock? The device is installed…
Minnesota is not the place you want to see those flashing lights in your rear-view mirror, especially if you have been drinking or if the officer only suspects you have been drinking. The reason is that we have the toughest laws in the country for dealing with drivers under the influence of alcohol, according to a recent analysis by a…
Drivers coming home from the bar often panic when they see red and blue lights flashing in their rearview mirror. However, some state officials are starting to question the validity and accuracy of Breathalyzer tests in assessing if someone is above the legal limit. According to a recent report, a Minnesota judge ruled in 2018 that many of the states…
It’s that time of year again – the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us. It’s no secret that social drinking is part of American culture. While you can never have too much holiday cheer, when alcohol is flowing freely, it can be easy to have too much holiday “spirit.” The winter holiday season sees an increase…
You may worry about the effect a DWI can have on your life. But if you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a conviction can be especially serious. Not only do you face the penalties of a Minnesota DWI, but you can also lose your ability to work. Minnesota has harsh punishments for CDL drivers who violate the law. A…