Drunk Driving continues to be a problem not just in Minnesota but across the country.

From 2014-2018, 540 people died in drunk-driving-related crashes in Minnesota, and 281 of those deaths occurred in just 15 counties.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, 52 percent of all drunk driving deaths during that time period took place in just 17 percent of Minnesota's counties. Similarly, 982 people were seriously injured in alcohol-related crashes in the 15 counties out of 1,657 statewide.

Those 15 counties are:

1. Hennepin​
2. Ramsey
3. Anoka
4. St. Louis
5. Dakota
6. Washington
7. Stearns
8. Sherburne
9. Olmsted
10. Wright
11. Rice
12. Cass
13. Becker
14. Scott
15. Otter Tail

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As you can see, many of the counties are in the metro area, as one might expect. No matter where they are, though, law enforcement officers in those counties are providing extra patrols to get drunk drivers off the roads through September of this year.

Driving Drunk is dangerous. Not only could you cause serious injury or death to you, but you could also cause it to someone else. The Minnesota DPS also noted that a first-time DWI can cost you an average of $10,000.

So, as always, plan a sober ride. Whether it is having a designated driver, calling a family member or friend, calling a cab, or ride-share service.

If you witness impaired driving behavior out on the road, call 911 and report it. Be prepared to give the location, license plate number, and the behavior you observed when talking to the dispatcher.

You can get more information on the 15 most dangerous counties for drunk driving in Minnesota on the Minnesota DPS website.

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