From Aug. 19 through Sept. 7, Wisconsin State Patrol will be working alongside local law enforcement agencies to prevent impaired driving through the Labor Day holiday weekend with the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over education and enforcement campaign.

“Strong partnerships are critical to prevent impaired driving crashes. This includes our law enforcement partners, but more importantly it means working with motorists and communities to make sure impaired drivers never get behind the wheel,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said.

In 2025, there were nearly 7,000 crashes involving alcohol or drug impairment in Wisconsin, accounting for one-third of traffic fatalities.

The Drive Sober of Get Pulled Over campaign reminds drivers to plan ahead when intending to celebrate over the holiday weekend. Impairment clouds a person’s judgment and endangers others on the road. Wisconsin State Patrol encourages drivers, friends and families to make responsible choices to avoid the dangers of impaired driving:

·       Select a sober designated driver or schedule a ride share ahead of time.

·       Take a bus or taxi if available.

·       Take the keys away if someone is impaired and get them a sober ride home.

·       If anyone spots an impaired driver, call 911.

·       Check if a bar or restaurant offers a safe ride home.

In addition to endangering lives, impaired driving carries serious financial and legal consequences. OWI convictions can cost up to $10,000, including fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, towing and vehicle repairs. Motorists also risk losing their driver license and vehicle if driving impaired. In Wisconsin, there are more than 20,000 Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) convictions every year.

Beyond the Drive Sober of Get Pulled Over campaign, law enforcement agencies work throughout the year to keep impaired drivers off the road. Wisconsin has over 8,000 officers specially trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and leads the nation with nearly 400 Drug Recognition Experts (DREs). There are also 34 multi-jurisdictional enforcement task forces operating across the state.

Working together, motorists and law enforcement can prevent impaired driving. For more information on the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, visit nhtsa.gov/campaign/drive-sober-or-get-pulled-over.