To motivate motorists to drive sober and buckle up, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Police will mobilize for the statewide “Booze and Belts” campaign from Dec. 13 to Dec. 21.
“Fatal and serious injury traffic crashes can turn a joyous holiday season into a time of tragedy,” said University Police Chief Joe LeMire. “To prevent these needless tragedies, our officers will be out in force during the Booze and Belts mobilization.”
During Booze and Belts and throughout the year, law enforcement agencies are cracking down on impaired and unbuckled motorists. Last year in Wisconsin, there were approximately 27,000 convictions for drunken driving and nearly 105,000 convictions for failure to fasten safety belts.
“If you drive drunk, you are seriously jeopardizing your life and the lives of others on the road. Even if you’re lucky enough to avoid a crash, you still are risking an arrest that will cause humiliation, huge fines, possible jail time and having to install an ignition interlock device on every vehicle you own, have registered in your name, or drive,” LeMire said. “We also take safety belt enforcement seriously. Too many drivers and passengers are seriously injured or killed while being ejected from their vehicles or tossed around violently inside them during a crash.”
The Booze and Belts mobilization is part of a statewide effort to reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths to Zero In Wisconsin.
“Our goal is voluntary compliance with traffic laws, so we urge you to make the responsible decision to buckle up and driver sober,” LeMire said. “But if you make an irresponsible decision, we will stop you and we won’t give you a warning or a second chance.”
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