Crackdown on Holiday Drunk Driving Begins Today, Continues Through New Year’s Day

The Holiday Season is a dangerous time to be on the road. Last year alone, 781 people were killed in drunk driving crashes between Christmas and New Year’s Day, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

This is why, starting today, state and local law enforcement will be stepping up patrols across the state as part of the Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Law enforcement will patrol the streets longer and in greater numbers through New Year’s Day in an effort to catch impaired drivers and deter others from driving drunk.

All drivers are reminded to buckle up, drive at a safe speed, be patient, and stay sober and alert behind the wheel, according to David Pabst, the director of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT) Bureau of Transportation Safety.

The primary goal of this effort is to encourage drivers to comply with laws that are designed to keep everyone on the road safe, says Pabst.

If you lose a loved one or suffer an injury in a crash caused by a drunk driver, contact a Milwaukee car accident lawyer for a free legal consultation. We may be able to obtain compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other damages.

Dangers of Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs is not only illegal, but also puts you and others on the road at high risk of suffering a severe injury or dying in a car crash.

Even consuming a small amount of alcohol can cause physical and cognitive impairments that make it more difficult to safely operate a motor vehicle. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of just 0.02 percent can lead to a decline in the ability to track moving targets with your eyes and perform two tasks at the same time.

When your BAC hits the legal limit of 0.08 percent, you could experience the following physical and cognitive issues:

• Poor muscle coordination affecting balance, speech, vision and reaction time
• Short-term memory loss
• Concentration
• Impaired perceptions
• Reduced ability to process information, such as traffic signals

How to Prevent Drunk Driving

Preventing drinking and driving is all about planning ahead for those times when you know you will be drinking alcohol.

If you are going to a party or a bar or restaurant where you plan on drinking, ask a friend to be a designated driver and transport you to and from the place where you will be drinking. Your friend needs to be committed to not consuming any alcohol while you are out.

However, sometimes it is not possible to find a designated driver for your night out. When this happens, consider taking a taxi or rideshare service to and from the party or bar where you are going. Smartphones have made it so much easier to use these services when you need a ride somewhere.

Another alternative, particularly if you are attending a party at a friend’s house, is to ask if you can stay the night to avoid drunk driving.

If you are with friends, take note of anyone who is consuming a lot of alcohol. Do not let this person drive if they seem intoxicated. Take this person’s keys away and help him or her arrange alternative transportation.

Contact an Auto Accident Attorney Today

Have you been injured in an auto accident caused by drunk driving?

Contact an attorney at PKSD for a free legal consultation. You could be entitled to various forms of compensation, either through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

Our experienced lawyers have a detailed understanding of the complexity of these cases and what it takes to be successful. We want you to have all of the compensation you deserve so you have a chance to move forward with your life.

Your consultation with our attorneys is free and you will not be charged for our services unless we obtain fair compensation.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form or call us at 414-333-3333.