GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – As families and friends get together for the holidays, Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials ask everyone to celebrate the season safely.
The State Patrol and other law enforcement agencies will once again be stepping up enforcement for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Sergeant Erik Heinz says their goal is simple.
“Just to be highly visible and deter impaired driving. The goal at the end of the day is compliance, and hopefully not having to arrest too many people,” Heinz said.
Patrols will be highly visible with more officers in common areas for alcohol consumption, and common times for people to be leaving those areas.
“It’s not going to be just consuming alcohol in your own home, it’s traveling to a relative’s house or to bars or parties or something like that. It’s just an extra reminder because of all the extra traveling,” Heinz told WTAQ News. “Plan ahead, make sure you get a safe ride home whether it’s through a friend or a taxi service like Uber or Lyft or something like that.”
And for the people who think they’re ‘just fine,’ and can make it home – Heinz says the gauge to calculate risk is fairly easy to read.
“If there’s any question whatsoever, it’s probably not safe to do so – if there’s anything in question,” Heinz said. “The best way to do it is just having a completely sober driver. That way, you know you’re doing the safest thing possible and you hope others are too.”
Someone is injured or killed in an alcohol-related crash about every three hours in Wisconsin. 167 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2020, which made up more than one-quarter of all traffic fatalities in the state.
Drugged driving is also a significant concern. Last year, 80 people died in drug-involved crashes, up from 59 deaths in 2019.
“Definitely we don’t want to have anybody’s families affected around the holidays. It can affect people very severely if they would ever lose a loved one or something negative would happen around the holiday time,” Heinz said.
Wisconsin officers use special training to combat impaired driving year-round. The state has among the most trained Drug Recognition Experts in the nation. Plus, there are 25 multi-jurisdictional OWI task forces operating across Wisconsin.
Law enforcement officers say they need help from everyone to keep impaired drivers off the roads.
· If you plan to celebrate, identify a sober designated driver, or find a safe alternative way home. Never allow someone who is impaired to get behind the wheel.
· If you suspect a driver is impaired call 911. Provide as much detail as possible on the driver, vehicle, and location.
· Download the free Drive Sober mobile app from the WisDOT website. The app includes a find a ride feature to help locate mass transit and taxi or rideshare services.
· Some bars and restaurants have programs to provide patrons a safe ride home.
· Protect yourself and your passengers every time you travel. Watch your speed and eliminate distractions. Buckle up and put your phone down. Every trip, every time.
