LCO Police and Sawyer County Sheriff's Department Join "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Campaign

The Lac Courte Oreilles Police Department along with Sawyer County Sheriff's Department are joining law enforcement agencies across the state of Wisconsin in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign from Wednesday, August 18 through Labor Day.

A statement from the The Wisconsin State Patrol (WSP) states the goal is not just to make arrests, but to avoid injuries and deaths.

“What makes these deaths so tragic is that they are preventable,” Wisconsin Secretary-designee of Transportation Craig Thompson said. “They result from the terrible decision to get behind the wheel while impaired. We hope the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign will make drivers think twice before they make a mistake that costs someone their life.”

Alcohol contributed to more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities last year in Wisconsin.

Drug-impaired drivers are also putting people in danger on the roads. Last year, there were 2,250 drug-related crashes that caused 80 deaths. That’s up from 1,749 crashes and 59 deaths in 2019.

The following Release is from the Sawyer County Sheriff's Department Facebook Page:

The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office is joining law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin during the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign from Wednesday, August 18 through Labor Day (September 6), 2021.

Someone is killed in an alcohol-related traffic crash every three hours in Wisconsin. Drugged driving is also a growing problem in our state.

This statewide law enforcement partnership aims to keep people safer on the roads by eliminating the risks of impaired driving.

Last year in Wisconsin, there were 6,050 alcohol-related crashes, including 167 deaths. Alcohol contributed to more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities.

Drug-impaired drivers are also putting people in danger on the roads. A driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is compromised by drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medications. Last year, there were 2,250 drug-related crashes that caused 80 deaths. That’s up from 1,749 crashes in 2019, including 59 fatalities.

Wisconsin officers have special training to help combat impaired driving, including:

• 5,752 police officers trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement to help detect and remove impaired drivers from the roads

• 347 highly trained Drug Recognition Experts - among the most in the nation

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

Everyone in the community can help in several ways:

• If you plan to celebrate, identify a sober designated driver, or find a safe alternative way home. Never allow someone who is impaired to get behind the wheel

• Protect yourself and your passengers every time you travel. Make sure everyone is buckled up. Watch your speed and eliminate distractions.

• If you suspect a driver is impaired call 911. Provide as much detail as possible on the driver, vehicle, and location.

• 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.

We want to make sure all travelers reach their destinations safely. Our goal is not simply to make arrests, but to keep our roads as safe as possible.