​​Drunken driving in Wisconsin is...

Prevalent:

• ​There were approximately 21,000 convictions for drunken driving offenses in Wisconsin in 2019.​

Deadly:

• Alcohol-related crashes killed 140 people in Wisconsin and injured 2,918 in 2019.

Expensive and embarrassing:

• Choosing to drive while impaired by alcohol or other drugs could be a decision you'll regret the rest of your life.
• If you're arrested, you can lose your license as well as a huge amount of money.
• Repeat drunken driving offenders face imprisonment.
• If you hurt or kill someone in a crash you could face extremely serious charges, like negligent homicide or operating while intoxicated (OWI) causing injury.
• Refuse a blood/breath alcohol concentration (BAC) test and you will lose your license on the spot for at least one year and you may have your car impounded.
• Wisconsin laws include mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices on all vehicles owned by anyone convicted of first offense operating while intoxicated (OWI) with an alcohol content of 0.15 or higher as well as second or subsequent offense OWI.
• If you drive drunk with a child under age 16 in the vehicle, the penalties will double.
• If you have two prior drunken driving convictions and have a BAC over 0.17, the penalties are multiplied.

Entirely preventable:

• Download the Drive Sober mobile app.
• Choose a sober designated driver before you start drinking.
• If you're feeling buzzed, you likely are over the 0.08 limit and should not drive.
• Rather than risk an arrest, or even worse a crash, take mass transit, a taxicab or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Save a life - don't let your friends drive drunk.
• Some taverns and restaurants have programs to provide patrons with a safe ride home. Visit www.tlw.org/saferide.
• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement or call 911.​

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