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As summer winds down, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Police Department is ramping up its enforcement efforts as part of a national crackdown on drunk driving. The 20-day, high-visibility campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, is a partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to curb impaired driving and save lives.

Aug. 21 through Sept. 7 (Labor Day), UW Oshkosh Police, along with law enforcement partners nationwide, will participate in the campaign, which shows a zero tolerance for drunk driving. Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of driving drunk, coupled with increased officers on the road, aim to drastically reduce the toll of drunk driving.

In 2013, there were 10,076 people killed in drunk-driving crashes, almost a third of all traffic fatalities.Thirty-eight percent of crash fatalities on Labor Day weekend that year involved drunk drivers (with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 or higher), amounting to 161 lives lost.

“Too many people think their actions won’t affect anybody else,” said UW Oshkosh Police Chief Chris Tarmann. “They know drinking and driving is illegal. They know it’s wrong. But they do it anyway – they make decisions as if those statistics just can’t happen to them.”

In every state, it’s illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. Chief Tarmann wants to remind drivers that “it’s not a recommendation; it’s the law.” During the enforcement period starting Aug. 21, there will be a special emphasis on drunk-driving enforcement. Local drivers should expect to see more patrol vehicles, DUI checkpoints, and increased messaging about this reckless, preventable crime.

“The number of people who are still drinking and driving is unacceptable,” Tarmann said. “Yes, we want to increase awareness for the campaign, but we want the effects to be permanent.”

Chief Tarmann emphasized the preventable nature of drunk driving: “All it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive.”

To help prevent drunken driving, the Zero In Wisconsin traffic safety initiative has a free “Drive Sober” mobile app, which includes updated features to help you get home safely. The Drive Sober app can be downloaded by visiting zeroinwisconsin.gov.