Drive sober campaign underway now through Labor Day weekend

From now 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. State patrol encourages drivers, friends and families to make responsible choices to avoid the dangers of impaired driving. Some ways to accomplish this include selecting a sober designated driver or scheduling a ride share ahead of time; taking a bus or taxi if available; and taking the keys away if someone is impaired and getting them a sober ride home. Some restaurants and bars also offer a safe ride home, sponsored by the Tavern League of Wisconsin.

In addition to endangering lives, impaired driving carries serious financial and legal consequences. Operating while intoxicated (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 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 more than 8,000 officers specially trained in advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement and leads the nation with nearly 400 drug recognition experts. 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.