Just when you think you have heard it all about DWI law-related topics, a story arises that makes everyone a bit concerned.
Pursuant to Minnesota Statute, Sec. 169A.20, Subd. 1, it is illegal for an individual to drive a motor vehicle with any Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance or a metabolite in his/her system, even with a valid prescription and even if the person is not impaired in any way. The problem is that many prescription medications are, in fact, listed on Schedule I or II; thus, these laws are unfairly targeting innocent people who are simply following their physicians’ orders.
A recent report highlighting Minnesota DWI death statistics for 2015 offers some promising news. According to the Duluth News Tribune, even though more Minnesotans died in alcohol-related vehicular accidents in 2015 than in 2014, these statistics demonstrate that the number of such fatalities is well below previous years and overall DWI/DUI arrests continue on a downward trend.
Amidst efforts to decrease the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities and injuries, a new topic is attracting increased attention. An emerging problem across the country is how to recognize and legislate driving under the influence of drugs, and marijuana is at the forefront of discussion because of the increasing number of states that are legalizing or decriminalizing it—not only for medical patients but for recreational use.
It almost sounds like something out of a science fiction movie; however, scientists have invented an 
In State v. Fawcett, #A15-0938 (24 August 2016), the Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed the appellate court’s ruling that a search warrant obtained to test the blood of a suspected drunk driver who was found to have been under the influence of a controlled substance—not alcohol—at the time of serious automobile accident did not violate the defendant’s Fourth Amendment protection against illegal searches and seizures. The following is a summary of the Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision in this case.
One can open a newspaper or look on the Internet and be inundated with interesting DWI law related topics on a variety of subjects. One of the most talked-about as of late is social host liability ordinances that seek to curb underage drinking.
Among the most interesting DWI law related topics in recent months is the attention ignition interlock devices have gotten. One of the most discussed tools to help combat increasing DUI and DWI rates is the ignition interlock device (IID)—also called a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID). These devices are, essentially breathalyzers for one’s vehicle that works by requiring the driver to blow into the device’s mouthpiece before s/he can start the vehicle. If the breath-alcohol concentration is higher than the BAC (blood alcohol concentration) levels programmed into the device, the IID prevents the individual from starting the vehicle.
The U.S. Supreme Court opened another small chink in citizens’ protection against illegal police searches this summer. In a 5-3 opinion in Utah v Strieff, the court ruled that although the police officer stopped a suspect illegally, a pending warrant discovered after the stop made evidence gained during a subsequent search to be admissible in court.
Excessive alcohol consumption in daily life has many consequences. Alcohol consumption is a leading factor in social, behavioral and medical problems. A New Study shows a connection between Alcohol Consumption and declined breathing. The study published in Chest magazine was led by Loyola Medicine and Loyola University Chicago and is the first evidence of a connection between alcohol consumption and breathing. The significance of the study is bigger than most realize.
It is true that the wonderful world of free enterprise and the American way is conducive to enterprising ideas and business. Recently Uber has knocked the enterprising spirit out of the ballpark. Where else can ordinary people sign up to make money using their own car, on their own time, to drive people from place to place? According to Uber’s website over a million drivers have signed up. One of the many perceived perks is people out drinking call or use the app to hail an Uber instead of driving drunk. Has the rise of Uber decreased incidents of DWI?
