Wisconsin Targets Impaired Driving With Labor Day Campaign
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Law enforcement in Wisconsin launched an effort centered on the Labor Day travel weekend aimed at reducing impaired driving on the state’s roads, seeking to curtail a problem that caused nearly half of Wisconsin’s traffic deaths in 2023.
The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which began Aug. 16 and is scheduled to run through Sept. 2, is the latest step in a broader, year-round national strategy to tackle the problem of impaired driving. Headed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the initiative is timed around the high-traffic Labor Day weekend but carries a broader message that vigilance against impaired driving remains critical year-round.
Wisconsin last year logged 7,701 crashes involving impaired drivers, resulting in 229 of the state’s 512 traffic fatalities. Wisconsin State Patrol wants to stamp these down.
“Our presence out in the community helps remind drivers that it is never worth the risk to drive under the influence,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said in a release. “If you’re celebrating the upcoming holiday, remember: There is always another option.” He urged people to plan ahead if they intend to consume alcohol. Options like rideshares, public transit and designated drivers are readily available and far safer, the release noted.
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Wisconsin’s approach to impaired driving also focuses on equipping law enforcement with the tools and training needed to spot and stop offenders. More than 7,500 officers statewide have received Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement training, which helps them detect impaired drivers even when traditional signs are not apparent. Also, nearly 400 drug recognition experts work throughout the state, identifying signs of drug-impaired driving and assisting with securing convictions.
The consequences of a conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated can be severe. In 2023, Wisconsin recorded 18,645 operating while intoxicated convictions, which can result in fines, court costs, legal fees and other expenses totaling up to $10,000. That’s not to mention the higher insurance rates those drivers are likely to face when attempting to return to the road. Some offenders risk losing their driver’s license and vehicle altogether.
The release encouraged residents to report suspected impaired drivers by gathering information such as the vehicle’s description and location, and contacting law enforcement.
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