NEW ULM — After falling in number since 2021, Minnesota traffic deaths are higher this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS).

There have been 437 Minnesota traffic fatalities and more than 24,000 DWI arrests as of Tuesday, 2024. That compares to 376 traffic deaths on the same date in 2023, 402 in all of 2023, 444 in 2022, 488 in 2021 and 394 in 2020.

Between 2019 and 2023, there were 664 alcohol-related driving deaths and there were more than 127,400 DWI arrests.

“We have a higher number of traffic fatalities this year. There was a downward trend until this year. I’m not sure why,” said New Ulm Police Commander Dean Barstad.

More than 300 Minnesota law enforcement agencies are part of an all-out campaign to encourage motorists to drive sober on weekends through New Year’s Eve.

“We haven’t run enhanced enforcement saturation projects for a number of years, but we’re well aware this time of year brings more motoring activity,” Barstad said.

He said officers have been involved in more arrests of people they believe were impaired by prescription medications and marijuana.

“Marijuana is becoming more of an issue since it was decriminalized in Minnesota. Officers are finding it more often in traffic stops and contact with people. I think people don’t always understand marijuana packaging requirements in a vehicle,” said Barstad.

It’s now illegal for drivers or passengers to open any cannabis packaging, have it in an unsealed container, use marijuana or consume other cannabis products.

Even medicinal marijuana consumers can be arrested for DWI. Cannabis impairment can increase crash risk due to slower reaction time and your understanding of distance and speed is altered.

Brown County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jason Fairbairn said motorists using marijuana or a controlled substance can be treated the same by law enforcement as they would with alcohol impairment.

“They can take the same field sobriety tests and be charged. Drugs and narcotics indicators are very similar to alcohol indicators,” said Fairbairn.

“Everybody have a right to spend time with family and friends during the holidays, but it’s important to remember to stay safe so we can all enjoy it,” he said.

Fairbairn said the sheriff’s office hasn’t added deputies on weekends yet.

“I’ve seen media advertising extra patrols in some places. So far, I think people are behaving. The night before Thanksgiving here was pretty slow. I think the media messages put out stressing extra enforcement work,” he said.

DPS data shows 130 of 444 state motorists died due to speeding in 2022. There were 87 fatalities due to unbuckled motorists, 86 due to drunk driving and 22 due to distractions.

Other data showed most crashes happened on Fridays, one in seven Minnesota drivers has a DWI on record, more than 40% of them will be convicted of DWI again, and seat belts saved 15,000 lives.

In addition to alcohol, substances ranging from cannabis and hemp-derived THC products to prescription medications and sleep aids can affect safe driving ability.

A DWI can lead to license loss for up to a year plus thousands of dollars in costs and possible jail time. Repeat offenders and those arrested at 0.16 and more blood alcohol concentration must use ignition interlock to regain driving privileges.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson said countless professionals risk their own lives to help those in need.

“Plan ahead for a sober ride. It’s a gift that saves lives,” said Hanson.