Secretary Busalacchi's letter to the editor regarding drunken driving

August 10, 2009

Letter to the Editor / Commentary

Dear Editor:

Our state has the shameful distinction of having the highest rate of drunken driving in the nation with approximately one in four Wisconsin adults admitting to driving while under the influence of alcohol within the past year, according to a recent federal study.

Although drunken drivers don’t intend to harm anyone, their careless disregard for human life all too often causes enormous grief for families who must bury a loved one or persistent pain for those who are seriously injured as the result of an alcohol-related crash. Last year in Wisconsin, alcohol-related traffic crashes killed 234 people and injured 4,319.

To get drunken drivers off our roads, hundreds of law enforcement agencies from all over Wisconsin will be out in force from August 21 through Labor Day as part of a nationwide crackdown called “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.”

During the crackdown, police officers, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers will be patrolling for longer hours and in greater numbers to combat drunken driving. And when officers stop drunken drivers, they will arrest them – no exceptions, no warnings and no second chances.

You also can help prevent drunken driving by serving as a designated driver and not letting friends drive while impaired. And if you see a drunken driver on the road, call your local law enforcement agency or dial 911. With everyone’s help, we can stop the senseless devastation caused by drunken driving and make progress toward the goal of reducing the number of preventable traffic deaths to Zero in Wisconsin.

Frank Busalacchi
Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation