Wisconsin State Patrol focuses efforts to stop impaired driving

MADISON - 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 now through Sept. 2.

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. This valuable partnership helps keep communities across Wisconsin safe,” Wisconsin State Patrol Supt. Tim Carnahan said. “But we also rely on all of you to keep the roads safe for everyone. If you’re celebrating the upcoming holiday, remember: There is always another option.”

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.

Working together

Law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin are working year-round to keep impaired drivers off the road.

Over 7,500 law enforcement officers across the state are already trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE). The State Patrol is continuing its work to train all officers, inspectors and troopers statewide.

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.

Make responsible choices

In addition to risking your life and the lives of others 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 you both your driver license and your 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 you’re feeling impaired, you are likely over the .08 blood alcohol concentration limit and should not drive.Remember, you have options: Take the bus, call a taxi, use a rideshare or ask a sober friend to drive you home.If you have a friend who is about to drive under the influence, step in. Take away their keys and get them home safely.If you suspect a driver is impaired, safely gather as much information as you can about the vehicle, driver and location. Then call 911.