Iowa, Illinois, & Wisconsin Crack Down On Drunk Driving for Holidays

According to press releases from local law enforcement agencies, it's that's time of year again when everyone should be aware that is you don't drive sober, you'll be pulled over.

As the holiday season approaches, local law enforcement agencies across the Midwest are taking a proactive stance to ensure road safety with an intensified enforcement campaign. From December 15th through New Year's Day, local departments are joining forces across the nation for the annual "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" initiative.

Impaired driving remains a significant threat to public safety, as evidenced by the 470 crashes involving impaired drivers during the last holiday season in Wisconsin. In Iowa last December, almost 1,100 drivers were charged with OWI on Iowa roads. About 25% of those were 2nd and 3rd offenses. According to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, the latest DUI statistics show there were nearly 21,735 DUI arrests in 2021. That same year, 330 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in the state, about a quarter of all traffic fatalities on Illinois roads.

The campaign aims not only to enforce the law but, more importantly, to save lives. Shockingly, an impaired driving crash occurs about every two hours in Wisconsin, emphasizing the urgency to prevent these preventable tragedies. Additionally, around 32 people in the United States are killed every day in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. This equates to around one death every 45 minutes.

Midwest officers are well-equipped to combat impaired driving with specialized training, including Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement and trained Drug Recognition Experts. Additionally in Wisconsin, multi-jurisdictional high-visibility OWI task forces operate across the state.

Did you know an OWI offense in the Midwest could combine in offenses to more than $30,000 in fines, insurance rates fees, and legal consequences if convicted. Additionally, you can get jail time and could be out of work for several months or years.

The public is encouraged to play a pivotal role in this effort by planning ahead and making responsible choices.

• Designating a sober driver.
• Report suspected impaired drivers to 911.
• Take advantage of programs offered by bars and restaurants for safe rides home.
• And, as always, buckle up and avoiding distractions like phone use.

Get our free mobile app

Preventing impaired driving is extremely simple, but it requires a commitment from everyone. By following these guidelines, local citizens can contribute to a safer holiday season. This ensures that everyone can celebrate without the shadow of impaired driving accidents.