Full Notification

Contact Person: Capt. Jude Maurer
608-757-7944
August 29, 2019

As the Labor Day holiday weekend approaches, the Rock County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that driving drunk or high puts everyone in danger. Labor Day holiday weekend is one of the deadliest times on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 376 people died in traffic crashes during the 2017 Labor Day holiday weekend. Thirty-six percent of those crashes involved a drunk driver. Drive sober to reduce your risk of a traffic crash and avoid an Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) arrest.

This Labor Day holiday weekend Rock County Sheriff’s Office Deputies will increase patrols with emphasis on identifying and pulling over impaired drivers. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is participating in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign to bring awareness to the perils of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and to take enforcement action to protect the public from impaired drivers.

Drunk-driving-related deaths claim more than 10,000 lives per year. These are preventable deaths. Do not drive drunk. If you drink, have a plan to get home safe. Safe options include city bus, taxi, a car service like Uber or Lyft, and a sober friend or relative.

Legal medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and illegal drugs can impair a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Drugged drivers pose a risk to the public. Driving impaired by drugs is illegal in every state.

On average, an OWI can cost $10,000 in fines, court costs, attorney fees, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing and repairs, and more. Make responsible choices this Labor Day holiday weekend.

Troy J. Knudson
Sheriff

By: Nicole Barrington