‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over:’ Statewide crackdown on drunk driving continues through Labor Day



MILWAUKEE — There will be increased patrols across Wisconsin during the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign that begins Friday, Aug. 16 and continues through Labor Day, Sept. 2.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation utilizes federal funds to support the stepped-up law enforcement efforts and public education and outreach on the dangers of impaired driving.

“As we approach the last major holiday of the summer season, we’re asking for the cooperation of all motorists to help us prevent needless tragedies along our roadways by being safe, alert, and responsible every time they travel,” said Craig Thompson, WisDOT secretary-designee, in a news release.

According to WisDOT, in 2018 in Wisconsin, alcohol-related crashes resulted in 159 deaths and nearly 3,300 injuries. There were 24,624 OWI convictions in Wisconsin in 2018.

While alcohol-impaired driving remains a concern, WisDOT officials said Wisconsin and many other states are seeing a growing challenge with drug-impaired drivers -- people whose ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is compromised by illegal drugs like heroin or marijuana, prescription, or over-the-counter medications.

To combat the problem, Wisconsin currently has:




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