Make Payment
Call Today
(952) 913-1421
Call Today
(952) 913-1421

National Transportation Safety Board Takes on Hard-Core Drunk Drivers

The National Transportation Safety Board is making hard-core drunk driving one its top priorities. Hard-core drunk drivers are drivers who get on the road with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 percent or higher, or offenders who have been arrested multiple times for DUI or drunken driving within the last 10 years. As a part of its efforts, the National Transportation Safety Board is lobbying states to adopt its 11 point safety program to reduce the risk of hard-core drunk drivers on the road.

So far, no single state has adopted all 11 components of the National Transportation Safety Board’s program, but some states have adopted certain aspects of the program. Of the efforts that the National Transportation Safety Board is pushing for states to adopt are jail alternatives and sobriety checkpoints. According to the director of the National Traffic Law Center, states are trying to adopt tougher laws for hard-core drunken drivers that are involved in fatal accidents. This year some states have already passed new laws regarding hard-core drunk driving.

Vermont passed a law requiring alcohol ignition interlocks for hard-core drunk drivers. Missouri now requires jail time for DUI offenders with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 percent or higher. Drivers in California who have been convicted of drunken driving three times or more will now lose their driver’s license for a period of 10 years. Texas has taken a cue from the National Transportation Safety Board and will introduce a bill to remove the state’s ban on sobriety checkpoints. Nine other states ban sobriety checkpoints. They include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, Rhode Island, Wyoming, Iowa, Michigan, Idaho and Oregon.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s efforts are in response to drunk drivers who are resistant to current public message campaigns and legal penalties. Hard-core drunk drivers were involved in more than 70 percent of all alcohol impaired car crashes over the past year according to the Safety Board.

Source: USA Today, “NTSB Pushes Zero Tolerance of Hard-Core Drunken Drivers,” Larry Copeland, 12/9/10

Max Keller image
Attorney Max Keller
Max Keller

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Experience: Practicing since 1997
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

Person using smartphone with blurred police lights background. charged with a drug crime based on text messages

Can You Be Charged With a Drug Crime Based on Text Messages Alone?

You can be charged with a drug crime based on text messages alone in Minnesota, especially when the messages show intent to purchase, sell, distribute, or traffic drugs. Prosecutors often use text messages to demonstrate intent to commit a drug crime, show a history of drug activity, link you to a specific phone, and corroborate physical evidence. Text messages often strengthen the probable cause required for the police to arrest and charge you. They are, however, not sufficient for a conviction without compelling supporting physical evidence.
Handcuffed man in beanie looking distressed during interrogation. police lie to you during an interrogation

Can the Police Lie to You During an Interrogation in Minnesota?

Criminal defendants who interact with police officers for the first time are often left wondering, “Can the police lie to you during an interrogation?” Police officers can lie to you during an interrogation. In fact, deception is a lawful and fully permitted police technique provided the officers do not use it to force a confession. Police often claim possession of non-existent evidence or witnesses to trick you into disclosing information that can aid their investigation.