DOT Promoting Drive Sober App for St. Patrick’s Day

For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate an Irish heritage, or simply a fun day to wear green. Unfortunately, far too often, these celebrations end in drunk drivers getting behind the wheel.

The holiday is considered one of the most dangerous of the year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), St. Patrick’s Day weekends between 2009 and 2013 caused 276 traffic fatalities involving drunk drivers. In Wisconsin, three people lost their lives on St. Patrick’s Day last year.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) hopes to bring that number down to zero for this year’s celebrations by encouraging Wisconsinites to “designate before they celebrate.”

State officials are encouraging everyone to download its free Zero In Wisconsin Drive Sober mobile app, which serves as a tool to help prevent drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel. It is available for download at the iTunes store and Google Play.

Since the app first launched for St. Patrick’s Day in 2013, about 68,000 people have downloaded it. The app includes:

• An estimator of blood alcohol content
• A tool for identifying a designated driver
• A Find a Ride feature that provides contacts for nearby taxis and other safe ride options through the use of a phone’s GPS
• Games that can help assess your reaction times

WisDOT and law enforcement across the country will be out in force carrying out the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign and will have zero tolerance for drivers who appear to be intoxicated in any way.

Motorists should make sure to have a safe way home before heading out to celebrate. They should designate a sober driver or utilize taxis, public transportation or other ride services to get home after drinking.

Drunk driving accidents shatter lives. If you or someone you love has been injured or died in a drunk driving crash, a Milwaukee car accident lawyer from PKSD can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Call 414-333-3333 or complete an online contact form for a free consultation.