DCSO Participating In Drive Sober Campaign

(Juneau) The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has ramped up enforcement of alcohol and drug impaired driving. Through September 6th, the department will be joining other law enforcement agencies across the state for the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Sergeant Jeremy Wolfe says traffic deaths and injuries are preventable, whether it’s alcohol, legal prescriptions or illegal drugs, impaired drivers endanger everyone. He says as the summer travel season comes to an end, they want all drivers to be responsible. In 2020, there were 6,050 alcohol related crashes that resulted in 167 deathsAlso, there were over 22-hundred drug-related crashes that caused 80 deaths. That is up from 1,749 crashes in 2019, with 59 fatalities. To help combat this issue, around 5,700 officers have been trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement to help detect and remove impaired drivers from the roadways. Wisconsin currently has the most highly-trained Drug Recognition Experts in the nation with 347 and there are 25 multi-jurisdictional high-visibility enforcement task forces operating throughout the year. Authorities also encourages the public to have a designated driver when going out to drink and to check if bars or taverns have a safe ride home program to help mitigate potential risks. Wolfe says it is their goal to help ensure all travelers reach their destination safely.