Last year, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a law passed overwhelmingly by the state legislature that increased the consequences for those convicted of driving while impaired (DWI) multiple times. It also increased the period of time considered when determining how many convictions or other qualifying incidents a person has had.
The push for the legislation came after a drunk driver who had multiple prior DWI convictions drove his car onto a restaurant patio in a Minneapolis suburb in 2024. The collision killed two diners and injured more.
What changes were made to the law?
The law increases the amount of time a repeat offender must have an ignition interlock device (IID) on their vehicle to drive legally. It also doubles the “lookback” period for considering a person’s prior DWI convictions or certain other impaired driving incidents like breath test refusals in determining how long they have to use an IID before they can have their full driving privileges reinstated.
For example, two DWI convictions within the past 20 years mandates two years in the ignition interlock program, three boosts that to six years with an IID. Drivers with four or more must have an IID for ten years.
When a DWI offense results in bodily harm or death, the consequences, including the length of time with an IID, increase, up to a lifetime requirement. Note that the changes pertain only to offenses starting July 1, 2025 when the law took effect.
It’s understandable for people to want to put a DWI behind them. However, increasingly lawmakers not just in Minnesota but in other states are taking steps to prevent drivers with a history of drunk driving-related incidents from being able to continue driving – or in this case, to continue driving without the safeguard of an IID.
This is one reason it’s crucial for anyone who is charged with DWI to take it seriously, even if it’s their first one. Getting legal guidance is always a good first step.