Drive Sober Mobilization August 17 - September 3, 2018

Sauk County Sheriff’s Office

News Release

August 14, 2018

To deter impaired driving, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, Baraboo Police Department, Lake Delton Police Department, Reedsburg Police Department, and Sauk Prairie Police Department will be participating in ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ initiative August 17 through September 3

These agencies will join hundreds of law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin to combat impaired driving during the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative from August 17 through Labor Day on September 3. Last year in Wisconsin, alcohol-related crashes resulted in 161 deaths and more than 3,000 injuries.

Whether it’s caused by alcohol or any combination of legal or illegal drugs, impaired drivers endanger everyone along our roadways.  During the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over initiative, officers will patrol in greater numbers and for longer hours to help prevent impaired drivers from killing or injuring themselves or someone else.

While alcohol-impaired drivers remain a significant problem, a growing concern is drugged driving - people whose ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is compromised by legal or illegal drugs including prescription and over-the-counter medications. To help combat the problem:

Nearly 3,800 Wisconsin law enforcement officers have been trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) to help detect and remove impaired drivers from the roadways

Wisconsin has 276 Drug Recognition Experts - among the most in the nation

There are 25 multi-jurisdictional, high-visibility OWI enforcement task forces operating throughout the year across the state

Rather than risk an OWI arrest or crash, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office urges drivers to follow these common sense suggestions:

Report impaired drivers to law enforcement by calling 911. Provide as much detail as possible on the driver, vehicle, and location

If you plan to celebrate, identify a sober designated driver. Never allow someone else to get behind the wheel impaired

Call Bar Buddies for transportation in the following areas:

Baraboo (608) 370-4354

Reedsburg (608) 495-9202

Sauk Prairie (608) 370-4300

Spring Green (608) 588-5591

Download the free “Drive Sober” mobile app from the WisDOT website. The app includes a “find a ride” feature to help locate mass transit and taxi services

Chip Meister

Sauk County Sheriff