The La Crosse Police Department and La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department, together with hundreds of other law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin, will crack down on drunken motorists during the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign from August 15th through September 1st. Both local agencies will have extra officers out at night during this campaign period.
Efforts to combat drunken driving in Wisconsin through effective enforcement and education are showing positive results. In the past 10 years, fatalities from alcohol-related crashes dropped from 348 in 2003 to 185 in 2013, which is a 47 percent reduction. Injuries from alcohol-related crashes dropped from 6,445 in 2003 to 2,660 in 2013, which is a 59 percent reduction, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
“Although we’re making progress in preventing drunken driving, too many people are still being killed or injured because of the irresponsible decision to drive while impaired,” said Chief Ron Tischer of the La Crosse Police Department. “Drunken driving is entirely preventable. You can designate a sober driver or find an alternative way home. The serious consequences of a drunken driving arrest include major embarrassment, expensive penalties, installation of an ignition interlock device, and possibly jail time. Driving drunk will be a decision you’ll regret the rest of your life.”
To help prevent drunken driving, the Zero in Wisconsin traffic safety initiative has a free “Drive Sober” mobile app, which includes updated features to help you get home safely. The Drive Sober app can be downloaded by visiting zeroinwisconsin.gov. The La Crosse Area Tavern League Foundation also sponsors a SafeRide program that is available to its patrons.
For questions, please contact La Crosse Police Department Sergeant Randy Rank at (608) 789-7206 or La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department Captain Mike Horstman at (608) 785-6197. If interested in a ride along with the Sheriff’s Department, contact Captain Horstman.
La Crosse PD Newsroom 