Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Press Release

To avoid a drunken driving arrest or crash, designate before you celebrate on Halloween

Although most of the scary parts of Halloween are imaginary, there is one terrifying aspect that is all too real—drunken driving.

By - Oct 28th, 2013 11:51 am

Although most of the scary parts of Halloween are imaginary, there is one terrifying aspect that is all too real—drunken driving. While celebrating at Halloween parties and festivities, people might be tempted to drive while impaired. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the State Patrol warn drivers to not give in to that temptation.

“Drunken driving is a serious offense, and law enforcement officers don’t give warnings or second chances to drivers who are impaired,” says David Pabst, director of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Safety. “There were nearly 27,000 convictions for drunken driving last year in Wisconsin.”

The expense, embarrassment and possible jail time for a drunken driving arrest are not the worst things that can happen if you drive while impaired. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than half of all the traffic fatalities on Halloween night during the past five years involved a drunken driver.

“Instead of risking an arrest and possibly a serious crash on Halloween, we urge everyone to designate before they celebrate. Our Zero In Wisconsin program’s Drive Sober mobile app can help you designate a sober driver or find a safe ride home on Halloween. This mobile app can be downloaded for free by visiting the Zero in Wisconsin web page. ” (http://www.zeroinwisconsin.gov)

In addition to downloading the Drive Sober app, here are common-sense suggestions to prevent drunken driving:

  • If you’re feeling buzzed, you probably are over the 0.08 (alcohol concentration) limit and should not drive.
  • Don’t allow friends to drive drunk no matter how much they protest.
  • If you see a drunken driver on the road, call 911 and provide as much information as you can.
  • If you are hosting a party, serve non-alcoholic beverages and food. Take responsibility for your guests’ safety on the road.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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