In no state to drive: Grand Forks, Polk counties barometers for their states' alcohol-related offenses

When it comes to alcohol-related driving offenses, Grand Forks County and Polk County are ideal barometers for their respective states.

According to a study by the North Dakota Department of Transportation, from 2009 to 2010, Grand Forks County had a slight increase in arrests, as did the state of North Dakota.

During the same time, Polk County showed a small decrease, much like the state of Minnesota.

Neither Grand Forks County nor North Dakota saw significant increases -- the county had 14 more arrests and the state had just 39.

According to a study by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Polk County had a 7 percent decrease, not as dramatic as the state's decline.

Minnesota saw a statewide decrease of nearly 3,000 arrests from 2009 to 2010, a nearly 9 percent move that has developed into a trend, said Department of Public Safety spokesman Nathan Bowie.

"DWIs have been trending down in recent years, since about 2007," Bowie said. "But arrest numbers do fluctuate a bit -- typically, (the state has) more than 30,000 arrests."

Higher blood alcohol

While area DUI and DWI offenses haven't seen much turbulence in recent years, there has been a little more movement in arrests involving higher alcohol concentrations.

Grand Forks County had an increase of just more than 4 percent of drivers impaired at the level of .18 or higher, from 40.6 to 44.8 in 2010.

That number only equates to about 12 additional arrests a year at that higher level and still leaves Grand Forks County with the lowest percentage of high-concentration arrests among North Dakota's four largest counties.

Greg Smith, a trooper with the North Dakota Highway Patrol's Grand Forks district, said the average DUI arrest is generally twice the legal limit of .08.

"I can speak for years past, the average blood alcohol concentration is still on average about .16," Smith said. "For us in the northeast region, it's nothing unusual from what we've seen."

Grand Forks County posted slightly higher figures than its Minnesota neighbor Polk County.

In 2009, Polk County had 40.4 percent of its arrests register at .16 or above. Last year, that number rose to 41.7 percent.

Enhanced sanctions

Minnesota has attempted to crack down on drivers at that level of impairment.

On July 1, Minnesota installed new sanctions for drivers who test at .16 or above. The previous level for enhanced penalty was .20.

"That level is also when our strengthened DWI sanctions go in effect," Bowie said. "Now in Minnesota, all repeat offenders at any limit -- and first-time offenders arrested at .16 alcohol concentration and above -- must use ignition interlock or face at least a year without a license."

In North Dakota, higher blood alcohol levels can mean a longer license suspension for convicted drivers.

But the state still focuses more on number of offenses when doling out punishment.

"Criminally, our laws haven't changed," Smith said. "Typically, a person would have to be arrested five times in seven years to reach a felony and three times in five years for a Class A misdemeanor."

Education and deterrence

In both states, education and deterrence campaigns continue in an attempt to keep drunk drivers off the road.

North Dakota recently implemented a system called TODD, which uses social media to target younger people and deter them from getting behind the wheel after a night of drinking.

TODD -- an acronym for "To Designate a Driver" -- uses Twitter and Facebook to help smart phone users easily access information by text for cab companies in the area.

"I guess we try and utilize Facebook and social media," North Dakota Department of Transportation spokeswoman Jamie Olson said. "We try to engage those younger college ages and people in their 20s."

Bowie chalks up Minnesota's downward trend in alcohol offenses to good education and enforcement of current laws.

"We believe the recent trend in fewer DWIs is likely due to a number of factors, including our proactive enforcement and education efforts to prevent the behavior, in addition to the .08 law," he said.

Bieri reports on crime and courts. Reach him at (701) 787-1118; (800) 477-6572, ext. 118; or send email to cbieri@gfherald.com .