Over the Limit. Under Arrest - Just the facts

From August 21st through September 7th, Bayside Police Department along with Fox Point, River Hills and agencies throughout Wisconsin and thoughout the nation will be patrolling in greater numbers and for longer hours to arrest impaired drivers and get them off the road.

Saturation patrols and other types of high visibility enforcement have proved to be an effective deterrent to impaired driving, especially when combined with an effective media campaign like Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

Impaired driving is prevalent and deadly:

1.  Wisconsin has the highest rate of drunken driving in the nation.  More than 26 percent of Wisconsin adults who were surveyed admitted that they had driven under the influence of alcohol in the previous year, according to a nationwide study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released in 2008. (you can find the study at http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/stateDUI/stateDUI.cfm ).

2.  Last year, alcohol related crashes killed 234 people in Wisconsin and injured 4, 319.

3.  Deaths from motorcycle crashes are increasing this year.  Approximately 47 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes in Wisconsin are alcohol related.

Drive impaired and you'll get arrested:

1.  Last year in Wisconsin, approximately 37,000 drivers were convicted of drunken driving.  That number exceeds the population of many major cities, including Manitowoc, Superior and West Bend, and nearly equals the population of Beloit.

2.  Our message is simple - if you're over the limit, you will get arrested.  There will be no warnings or second chances.

3.  If you're arrested, you can lose your license as well as a huge amount of money.  Repeat offenders also face imprisonment.  If you hurt or kill someone in a crash you will face very serious charges, like vehicular manslaughter.

4.  Refuse a blood/breath alcohol concentration test and you can lose your license on the spot and have your car impounded.

5.  Our goal is not to arrest more drunken drivers.  Our goal is to deter drunken driving, so that we can reach our ultimate goal of zero preventable traffic deaths.

Important advice:

1.  Choose a sober designated driver before you start drinking.

2.  If you're feeling buzzed, you likely are over the 0.08 BAC limit and should not drive.

3.  Rather than risk an arrest, take mass transit, a taxicab or ask a sober friend to drive you home.

4.  Save a life - don't let your friends drive drunk.

5.  Some taverns and restaurants have programs to provide patrons with a safe ride home.  Visit www.tlw.org/ and click on Safe Ride.

6.  Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.

Online resources:

Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest Law Enforcement Action Kit:  http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/motorist/media/index.htm

Zero In Wisconsin traffic safety campaign, including TV and radio commercials:  http://zeroinwisconsin.gov

Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest logos and artwork: http://www.stopimpaireddriving.org/planners/crackdown2009/index.cfm

Wisconsin drunken driving facts and statistics:  http://www.dot.wisconsin/gov/safety/motorist/drunkdriving/index.htm

UW Madison Law School Resource Center on Impaired Driving:  http://www.law.wisc.edu/rcid