For people in East Grand Forks, the city of Rochester, Minnesota, is probably best known as the location of the Mayo Clinic. But according to a new study, Rochester should also be known for a less prestigious reason: its high number of residents with a drinking and driving conviction on their records.
According to insurance website Insurify, 57.09 per 1,000 residents of Rochester have at least one DUI on their criminal records. That is the third-highest rate per capita in the U.S. and far above the national rate of about 17 per 1,000 Americans.
Why is this?
It’s not clear why Rochester ranks so highly on this DUI rate list. It’s the only Minnesota city in the top 20 and one of only three cities on the list located in the Upper Midwest. Most of the cities on the list are in California or Western states like Wyoming and Colorado. It’s also worth noting that the listed cities tend to be relatively small. Taking mass transit, taxis or rideshares instead of driving after drinking may not be easily available options. Still, the cities may be large enough that walking home might be difficult also.
DUI charges are serious in Minnesota
East Grand Forks is on the other side of the state from Rochester and did not make the list. However, it is a small town that lacks options for getting around other than driving. However, Minnesota state troopers, Polk County sheriff’s deputies and local police do not take that as an excuse. If you are arrested on suspicion of DUI, you could face a suspended driver’s license, fines and more. A defense attorney can work with you to seek the best possible outcome for your case.
