WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- The national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign kicks off this Friday.
The holiday campaign that's held every year begins on Friday and lasts until January 1st. The Wisconsin DOT will be using federal funds to support the campaign, which includes extra law enforcement efforts, public education, and outreach.
Randy Romanski, Wisconsin DOT's Safety Program Section Chief for the Bureau of Transportation, describes the goal of the campaign. "And the goal is to discourage impaired driving and public safety. So as a result, law enforcement agencies from across Wisconsin, are going to be out patrolling in greater numbers for longer hours during the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' holiday."
There are several ways to avoid impaired driving that Romanski recommends. "If you are planning on going out, designate a sober designated driver before you celebrate. The Department of Transportation has a free Drive Sober mobile app that you can download from the Wisconsin DOT website. And it includes a 'find a ride' feature to help locate transportation alternatives no matter where you are in the state."
Romanski says there has been a positive trend over the past 10 years of alcohol-related crashes going down in the state. "I would say that over the last 10 years, probably longer, there's been an improved trend in Wisconsin as far as impaired driving is concerned. Over the last 10 years alcohol-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities are all down more than 25%."
But he says alcohol-related crashes still happen far too often. And that the campaign is a way for law enforcement to get voluntary compliance to not drive impaired. Romanski also recommends that if you suspect a driver of being impaired to call 911.
The "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign is nationwide and will be carried out by officers in other states as well as Wisconsin through January 1st.
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