For the City Times

To combat drunken driving, the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department will join other law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin participating in the “Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over” national campaign from Dec. 15 to Jan. 1, 2017.

“Although drunken driving is 100 percent preventable, on average someone is killed or injured in an alcohol-related crash in Wisconsin every three hours,” said Sergeant Mike Potocki. “And while celebrating the holidays, people may be tempted to drive when they are prepared. During the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign, our officers will be out in force to arrest drunken drivers before they kill or injure themselves, or an innocent victim.”

Rather than risk a drunken driving crash, the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department urges you to follow these common sense suggestions:

-Choose a sober, designated driver before you start drinking.

-If you are feeling buzzed, you are likely over the 0.08 blood alcohol limit and should not drive.

-Take a bus, taxicab, or ask a sober friend to take you home.

-The ‘Zero in Wisconsin’ traffic safety program has a free ‘Drive Sober’mobile app that can be downloaded by visiting zeroinwisconsin.gov

-Some taverns and restaurants have programs to to provide patrons with a safe ride home. Visit tlw.org and click on ‘Safe Ride’.

-Report impaired drivers to law enforcement by calling 911.