I Mattered Drive Sober

04/28/2026

It’s honestly concerning how many people will see a DWI arrest post and immediately say things like “slow news day” or “this isn’t serious.”

Let’s be real for a second — driving while intoxicated is not a minor issue. It’s one of the most preventable causes of death and injury on Minnesota roads.

Every single DWI arrest represents a decision that could have ended very differently.

In Minnesota alone:
• About 68 people are arrested for DWI every single day 
• Thousands of people are injured each year in alcohol-related crashes, including over 2,200 injuries in a recent year 
• Dozens of people are killed annually — around 70+ lives lost in impaired driving crashes 
• Roughly 1 in 7 drivers in Minnesota has a DWI on their record 
• Alcohol is a factor in a significant portion of fatal crashes across the state 

And those are just the numbers.

Behind every statistic is a crash that didn’t have to happen, a family that didn’t deserve that call, and a life that was permanently changed because someone thought they were “fine to drive.”

The reality is, most deadly crashes involving alcohol don’t start with a crash — they start with a decision.

So when you see a DWI arrest posted, understand what it actually represents:
It’s not “just a DUI.”
It’s a situation that could have ended in tragedy — and didn’t.

The real question people should be asking is this:
At what point does it become serious — before someone gets hurt, or after?

01/28/2026

01/22/2026

“Every arrest represents a crash that didn’t happen,” OTS Director Mike Hanson said in a statement.
(Attached link Northern News Now article)

Above statement says it all.

Thank you Law Enforcement for your continued work in helping to keep our roads safe.

Impaired-Stop-Think
I Mattered Drive Sober

Law enforcement agencies across Minnesota arrested more than 2,100 impaired drivers.

01/09/2026

IMDS would like to say thank you to all Law Enforcement Officers for their work and dedication in providing service to our communities. Special thanks to MN State Patrol and Itasca County Sheriff, Joe Dasovich, for working with us to promote safety, increase awareness and help with sharing our message of hope and positive choices to increase safety in our communities. Itasca County Sheriff’s Department, Grand Rapids PD, Nashwauk PD, and all others who dedicate so much everyday to keep our communities safe.
With much gratitude, thank you!

01/01/2026

It has been a busy year at IMDS; from educational speeches to teddy bear deliveries, we have been growing our outreach to promote safety and encourage positive choices. We are grateful for your support and excited to have you join us on our continued mission in preventing the preventable tragedies caused by impaired driving. May you have a safe and wonderful new year. Please celebrate responsibly and don’t drive impaired. Making plans, going out, plan it out and PLAN AHEAD. Impaired-Stop-Think
Happy New Year from all of us at IMDS!

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at IMDS

12/08/2025

https://www.westernjournal.com/ap-people-addicted-marijuana-fewer-seeking-help-experts-say/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=the%20western%20journal&utm_campaign=dlvrit&utm_content=fullpost&fbclid=IwVERDUAOXSXhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEegoKSsu6tQkkJXUgnaPic2d9pcaGZey21JMh71isobVz4p44Mt1o3VRLJwVk_aem_aX_m4FXiUtuomQ89zEmtLw

Pot use among young adults reached historic levels in recent years, according to a federally supported survey.

12/06/2025

Thank you donors for your gracious generosity to this organization, whether it is donations for Logan’s Bears, general operating expenses, or educational materials for speeches and events, please know that we appreciate you! Thanks to additional donations we already have some funding for the 2026 purchase of more Logan’s Bears for the hospital! We couldn’t do it without your help so thank you!

12/01/2025

Please consider donating. With your donation, it helps us to increase our outreach services to combat impaired drivings devastating consequences and keep our roads safer through educational awareness. We thank you for your support.

11/30/2025

Recreational cannabis is now legal in Minnesota, but the rules change the moment you step into a vehicle.

Just like alcohol, there is a strict "Open Package Law" for cannabis in cars, and violating it is one of the easiest ways to turn a routine traffic stop into a criminal misdemeanor.

Under MN Statute 169A.36, it is illegal to have cannabis flower, edibles or v**e products in a motor vehicle on a street or highway if the packaging is open, the seal is broken or some of the contents have been removed.

The "Glove Box" Mistake

Many drivers mistakenly believe that putting an opened bag of gummies or a v**e pen in the glove compartment or center console is safe. It is not.

The law specifically states that these areas are considered within the "area normally occupied by the driver and passengers." If an officer sees an open cannabis product in your cupholder during a traffic stop, you can be cited for a misdemeanor, even if you are completely sober.

Where Can You Legally Store It?

If the seal on your cannabis product is broken, the only legal place to store it in a sedan or coupe is in the trunk.

For SUVs, hatchbacks, or trucks without a separate trunk, the law requires opened products to be stored in the area of the vehicle "least accessible to the driver or passengers." This typically means the very back cargo area, as far from the driver's seat as possible.

The Impairment Issue

An "Open Package" citation is often just the beginning. The odor of burnt cannabis or the presence of open products gives police probable cause to investigate you for Driving While Impaired (DWI).

Unlike alcohol, Minnesota has no legal "limit" for THC concentration in the blood. Instead, law enforcement relies on specialized officers called Drug Recognition Evaluators (DREs).

A DRE will conduct a 12-step evaluation, checking your pulse, eye movements, and muscle tone to determine if you are impaired. Their expert testimony can be enough to secure a DWI conviction, even without a blood test result.

The Bottom Line: Treat cannabis exactly like an open bottle of whiskey. If the seal is cracked, put it in the trunk before you turn the key.

BY MN CRIME STAFF
See more at MNCRIME.com