MADISON, Wis. — Preventing impaired driving during the holiday season: that’s the goal of law enforcement agencies across the country.
The Madison Police Department and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up with law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin and the nation in the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
Running from Wednesday, December 11 through New Year’s Day, the initiative focuses on preventing impaired driving during the holiday season by increasing patrols to remove dangerous drivers from the roads.
According to law enforcement, Wisconsin saw 470 crashes involving impaired drivers over the 2023 holiday period.
“Alcohol and drugs can severely impact a driver’s ability to focus and maintain control of their vehicle,” said Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes. “Our goal is to keep our streets safe and ensure that people can enjoy their holiday celebrations without fear of a crash or tragedy. It’s crucial that everyone does their part to stay safe.”
Last year in Wisconsin, there were 5,976 alcohol-related crashes that resulted in 159 deaths. Alcohol was a contributing factor in over a quarter of all traffic fatalities.