Contributed
The Mauston and Necedah Police Departments will join hundreds of other law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin in cracking down on drunken driving during the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign from Aug. 15 to Sept. 1. Efforts to combat drunken driving in Wisconsin through effective enforcement and education are showing positive results. In the past 10 years, fatalities from alcohol-related crashes dropped from 348 in 2003 to 185 in 2013, which is a 47 percent reduction. Injuries from alcohol-related crashes dropped from 6,445 in 2003 to 2,660 in 2013, which is a 59 percent reduction, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. However, Necedah Police Administrator Tony Hiess said, “Although we’re making progress in preventing drunken driving, too many people are still being killed or injured because of the irresponsible decision to drive while impaired.” There are several penalties is a person is caught drunk driving. Mauston Lieutenant Michael Zilisch said, “The serious consequences of a drunken driving arrest include major embarrassment, expensive penalties, installation of an ignition interlock device, and possibly jail time.” The goal of the campaign is not to arrest more drunken drivers, but to deter drunken driving altogether.
To help prevent drunken driving, the Zero In Wisconsin traffic safety initiative has a free “Drive Sober” mobile app, which includes updated features to help you get home safely. The Drive Sober app can be downloaded by visiting zeroinwisconsin.gov. You can also:
- Choose a sober designated driver before you start drinking.
- If you’re feeling buzzed, you likely are over the 0.08 limit and should not drive.
- Rather than risk an arrest, or even worse a crash, take mass transit, a taxicab or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
- Save a life – don’t let your friends drive drunk. Some taverns and restaurants have programs to provide patrons with a safe ride home. Visit www.tlw.org.
- Report impaired drivers to law enforcement or call 911.