In a heartrending call to action, the family of a crash victim who lost her life due to an impaired driver urges the public to make responsible choices when getting behind the wheel. Jordan Huver's life came to a tragic end 12 years ago, and now her mother, Trish Wehling, shares the young woman's story in support of the statewide crackdown on intoxicated driving, starting August 15. "Every time I think of losing Jordan, I think, 'What if the driver had not been drinking? What if they called an Uber?'" said Wehling, in a statement obtained by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The extra DWI enforcement and awareness campaign is set to span two weeks and involves nearly 300 local law enforcement agencies collaborating with the Minnesota DPS's Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). During this period, officers will be working additional hours to monitor and stop potentially impaired drivers. The sobering statistics reveal that, before August 10, arrests for driving while impaired (DWI) in Minnesota this year surpassed 16,000, and alcohol-related crashes have claimed 65 lives.
"The number of families in Minnesota torn apart by the terrible choice to drive impaired cannot be overstated. Stories like Jordan's are far too common in our state," OTS Director Mike Hanson told the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Hanson stressed that there is no justification for driving impaired, with numerous alternatives available, such as taxis, public transit, or ride-sharing services to ensure a safe journey home.
The consequences for those caught driving while impaired are severe and include potential jail time, hefty fines, and the possibility of losing one's driver's license for up to a year. Those with higher blood alcohol concentrations and repeat offenders face mandatory use of ignition interlock devices. Otherwise, these individuals could lose driving privileges for an extended period--or even indefinitely. "Drivers need to ask, do they want to be the one who makes the fatal decision that changes a family forever," the Minnesota DPS said in a press release.
To counter the ongoing issue of impaired driving, the campaign encourages individuals to designate a sober driver or take advantage of safe transport options. The Office of Traffic Safety also prompts people to speak up if they witness someone about to drive despite impairment. Additional resources for traffic safety are available at DriveSmartMN.org and the office provides details on how to navigate driving-related challenges, such as the effects of cannabis use and how certain medications can impair driving abilities.
