ST. PAUL, Minn. — The same driver was stopped for drunkenness at the wheel two times in three days in Winona County, the State Patrol reported in a wrap-up its Labor Day weekend crackdown. In all there were 267 law enforcement agencies participating in the Patrol’s safe-deriving promotional campaign. Not everybody got the message. Total DWI arrests statewide: 1,140. The Patrol reported these blood-alcohol concentrations as the highest of the weekend:
> Nobles County: 0.44%.
> St. Paul: 0.43%.
> Faribault: 0.41%.
> Anoka: 0.39%.
> Crosby: 0.037%.
These concentrations all exceed the medical threshhold for alcohol poisoning. Above 0.40% is potentially fatal. In Minnesota the allowable max for driving is is 0.08%.
Penalties
Under Minnesota law:
> First offense: A revoked driver license as long as one year, thousands of dollars in higher insurance premiums, court expenses and other costs, and possible jail time.
> First offense at 0.16%: In addition: An ignition interlock on vehicle. Also possible: At least one yearrevocation of driver license.
> Repeat offense: In addition: At least one year without a driver license.
> Third offense: In addition: An interlock on vehicle for three to six years.