Alcohol (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)
People are gathering to celebrate the holidays, transportation officials are urging everyone to be responsible.
The holiday season often means holiday parties and the possibility that someone will make the potentially deadly decision to drive impaired.
Wisconsin State Patrol Major JD Lind says impaired driving is a danger to everyone, and everyone has a responsibility to prevent it. “If you notice someone getting behind the wheel of a vehicle that appears to be impaired, offer to give them a ride, maybe call a cab for them, but certainly, don’t let them drive in an impaired state.”
Also, Lind says if you see a vehicle operating erratically on the highway and suspect the driver’s impaired, get as much info as you safely can about the vehicle and contact law enforcement. “The bottom line is, if you see something, do something. You could easily be saving the life of the driver or someone else’s life.”
He says whether .08 or not, if a driver is impaired from alcohol, drugs, or anything else that renders a person incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle, that can result in an OWI arrest.
Meanwhile, expect Sunday to be a heavy travel day considering people will be heading home after the holiday, combined with travelers going to and from the Packers-Lions football game in Green Bay.
Motorists will want to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, be alert for traffic slow-downs or incidents, and buckle-up. Before your trip, check the 511 Travel Information System for the latest on road conditions and possibly delays.