Wisconsin Law Enforcement To Focus On Drunk Driving In August
Police officers in Wisconsin will focus on cracking down on drunk drivers during the last half of August.
Beginning on August 15, and lasting through Labor Day weekend, law enforcement officers in Wisconsin will pay particular attention to motorists who are driving while impaired.
The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign” is meant to reduce drunk driving collisions, both through public awareness of the issue and enforcement of drunk driving laws in the state.
This combination has proven effective in the past, as drunk driving fatalities have fallen in Wisconsin in recent years.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 185 people lost their lives in drunk driving collisions in Wisconsin in 2013 – down from 348 fatalities in 2003. In addition, fewer people were injured in impaired driving crashes in the state – 2,660 people suffered injuries in 2013 compared to 6,445 in 2003.
During this period of enhanced enforcement, Wisconsin law enforcement officers remind motorists that auto accidents caused by drunk drivers are preventable. Rather than choosing to get behind the wheel, impaired drivers can designate a sober driver or call a taxi to take them home.
In addition, motorists in Wisconsin can download a free app – called “Drive Sober” – that provides assistance to people looking for a safe ride home. This campaign is part of the state’s broader effort to reduce the number of traffic fatalities in Wisconsin to zero.
The Danger Of Drunk Driving Collisions In Wisconsin
Even with the reduction in the number of drunk driving injuries and fatalities, Wisconsin is still one of the most dangerous states in the nation when it comes to drunk driving.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more people drive while under the influence of alcohol in Wisconsin than any other state in the country. In all, over 26% of Wisconsin motorists admitted that they drove while intoxicated during a one-year period.
Drunk drivers are responsible for 36% of all traffic deaths in Wisconsin. Comparatively, drunk driving leads to 31% of all traffic fatalities in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
When a drunk driver chooses to get behind the wheel, all others on the road are put at risk. When he or she then causes a collision with other motor vehicles, the intoxicated driver should be held responsible for the damage done and the injuries suffered in the crash. If you or someone you love has been involved in a drunk driving crash in Wisconsin, consider seeking the counsel of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney, who will work on your behalf to ensure your interests are safeguarded.