SAINT PAUL, Minn— On March 15, 2018, Rep. Dario Anselmo, R-Edina, introduced a new bipartisan bill to strengthen Minnesota’s DWI laws. The legislation allows for the permanent revocation of a Minnesota-issued driver’s license after a person’s fifth DWI conviction.
In 2015, there were 587 felony DWI convictions in Minnesota, with just under half of those being for a fifth or more offense. Minnesota also has one of the highest recidivism rates for repeat drunk driving offenses in the nation according to a 2014 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and approximately 25,000 Minnesotans have five DWIs or more.
Rep. Anselmo’s bill works to reduce the number of repeat drunk driving offenses and keep people safe on Minnesota roads.
“There is a point where we have to say ‘enough is enough,” said Rep. Anselmo. “Driving is a privilege and not a right, and for someone who repeatedly puts the lives of other Minnesotans at risk, the state should have the ability to permanently take away a driver’s license.”
Twelve other states across the nation have similar laws that allow for a lifetime revocation of a driver’s license. The bill would institute stricter policies in Minnesota, while offering an opportunity for someone to petition the court to have a license reinstated after a ten year period, if they can prove with clear and convincing evidence that they do not pose a risk and have completed court-ordered chemical dependency. That ten year period would begin after the fifth driving offense or after being released from incarceration for a driving offense. That ten year waiting period would start over again if there is a new driving offense with a revoked or canceled license during that time period.
“By the time you reach five DWIs, there have been a number of consequences. Four or more DWIs in ten years is a felony, you have paid serious fines, used ignition interlock, lost your car and maybe even served jail time. If you have five or more convictions, the state should not be granting these individuals the privilege of a license. We all want a chance for people to turn their life around and get clean, and the state offers a number of chances along the way,” added Rep. Anselmo. “I am hopeful that strengthening this law will curb the number of drunk drivers in Minnesota and show the serious consequence of putting your fellow motorists at risk.”
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