The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of State Patrol is joining law enforcement agencies across the state and nation in a unified effort to get impaired drivers off the roads this holiday season.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign kicked off this week, boosting efforts to educate and enforce Wisconsin’s impaired driving laws through New Year’s Day, according to a Wisconsin State Patrol news release.

The last holiday season — Dec. 15, 2024, through Jan. 1, 2025 — saw 403 crashes involving impaired drivers in Wisconsin. Those incidents killed nine people and injured 169 others.

“With the holiday season underway, we are urging drivers to plan ahead before celebrating to keep Wisconsin’s roads safe,” WSP Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “Every crash caused by impaired driving is preventable. We are increasing efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road, but we need drivers to make responsible choices and consider others before getting behind the wheel.”

The state patrol helps local law enforcement agencies obtain specialty training to detect impaired driving. More than 8,000 officers in Wisconsin are trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement and nearly 400 have completed Drug Recognition Expert training, which is more than most states.

Impaired driving can have many consequences for a driver, in addition to the potential for a crash. An Operating While Intoxicated conviction can cost about $10,000, including fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates and vehicle services. A driver can also lose their license and vehicle because of an OWI conviction.

No good reasons exist to drive impaired. The WSP encourages drivers to put safety first by —

— Always driving sober.

— Designating a sober driver before celebrating.

— Taking the bus, calling a taxi, or using a rideshare service instead of getting behind the wheel. If available, use the Safe Ride program to get home.

— If acting as the designated driver, taking that responsibility seriously.

— Considering how guests will get home if hosting a gathering.

— Stepping in if a friend who is about to drink and drive. Take the keys away and help them get home safely.

— Safely gathering as much information as possible about the vehicle, driver and location if you suspect a driver is impaired, then calling 911.