Don’t let impairment take a life on Wisconsin roadways

The Wisconsin State Patrol is focusing on educating drivers about the dangers of impaired driving, during the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which runs to Sept. 1. The special enforcement and education campaign unifies efforts from law enforcement agencies, across the state, to prevent impaired driving. “We will have more troopers and inspectors on the roads, looking for signs of impairment, leading into the Labor Day weekend,” said Wisconsin State Patrol superintendent Tim Carnahan. “When you’re preparing to celebrate the holiday, be sure to include a plan for a safe and sober ride home. Let’s work together, to put a stop to crashes caused by impaired driving.” There were 7,067 crashes involving alcohol or drug impairment in Wisconsin, in 2024. Nearly half of all traffic fatalities involved either drugs or alcohol. Over 8,000 law enforcement officers across the state, are already trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE). The Wisconsin 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 those drivers off the roads. In addition to risking the lives of everyone on the road, driving impaired carries serious financial and legal consequences. There were more than 18,000 operating while intoxicated (OWI) convictions in Wisconsin, in 2024. 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 the operator their drivers license and vehicle. The state patrol encourages everyone to make responsible choices, to ensure celebrations stay safe, such as selecting 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. Don’t let someone get behind the wheel if they’re impaired. If a driver is suspected of being impaired, call 911.