State patrol is focused on stopping impaired driving

As Labor Day weekend approaches, Wisconsin State Patrol troopers and inspectors focus on preventing impaired driving, as the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign gets underway. The special enforcement and education campaign unifies efforts from law enforcement agencies across the state, to stop impaired driving.

There were 7,701 crashes involving alcohol or drug impairment in Wisconsin, in 2023. Nearly half of all traffic fatalities (229 of 512) involved either drugs or alcohol.

“Our presence out in the community helps remind drivers that it is never worth the risk to drive under the influence,” said Wisconsin State Patrol superintendent Tim Carnahan. Every 39 minutes, drunk driving claims the life of one person nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is a national campaign, headed by NHTSA, to decrease alcohol and drug-impaired driving across the United States.

Over 7,500 law enforcement officers across the state, are already trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE). With almost 400 Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) statewide, Wisconsin is helping lead the nation in eliminating drug-impaired driving. DREs help prevent tragedies, by identifying the signs of drug-impaired driving and securing convictions to keep them off the roads.

In addition to risking lives on the road, driving impaired carries serious financial and legal consequences. There were 18,645 Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) convictions in Wisconsin, in 2023. OWI convictions can cost around $10,000, including fines, court costs, attorney fees, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing and repairs, and more. Driving under the influence of any substances can also cost revocation of the license and vehicle. The State Patrol encourages everyone to make responsible choices this holiday season, to ensure celebrations stay safe:

• Select a sober designated driver ahead of time. If feeling impaired, the driver is likely over the 0.08 Blood Alcohol Concentration limit and should not drive.

• Remember, there are options – take the bus, call a taxi, use a rideshare or ask a sober friend to drive home.

• If a friend is about to drive under the influence, step in. Take away their keys and get them home safely.

• If a driver is impaired, safely gather as much information as possible about the vehicle, driver and location, then call 911.