December 27, 2024

Law enforcement agencies call for safer New Year’s Eve

The Dane County Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) and its law enforcement member agencies jointly issued an urgent appeal to drivers not to drive impaired after using alcohol or drugs this New Year’s Eve. This plea comes as the Wisconsin State Patrol, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, and all 20 local police departments in the county continue a two-week special enforcement and education effort to get impaired drivers off the roads.

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard led off a press conference today by emphasizing the importance of this joint effort. “New Year’s Eve is one of the deadliest times of the year for traffic crashes involving impaired drivers.

“Impaired driving is a significant problem in Dane County. So far this year in Dane County, 16 persons in Dane County have died as a result of alcohol or drug-related crashes. Think about it: this year 16 area residents are leaving empty chairs at family holiday gatherings.”

Agard noted that over the past five years, there were 1,098 crashes that involved drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. These resulted in 74 deaths and 1,390 injuries. More than one-third of all Dane County traffic crashes involved drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. “I’m pleased that our county’s law enforcement professionals have committed to this joint effort to keep our roadways and those who depend on them safer,” she said.

Lt. Chad O’Neil, Stoughton Police Department and co-chair of the TSC Law Enforcement Subgroup, spoke for the participating agencies. Lt. O’Neil said this year’s impaired driving crashes remain about the same over the past several years. “An alarming trend to watch is that an increasing number of county crashes in the last three years involved both alcohol and drugs.”

Lt. O’Neil announced eight areas in the county identified as “hotspots,” where the most impaired driving crashes have occurred and where other drivers and pedestrians should be especially watchful:

 East Washington Ave. and surrounding streets near the Capitol

 East Washington Ave. near East Towne Mall

 Packers Ave./Northport Dr. near Warner Park

East Washington Ave. from Union Corners to Hwy 30

 Hwy 51, Town of Dunn

 Hwy 151/Main St./Hwy 19, Sun Prairie

 Hwy 14/Fish Hatchery Rd/Hwy 18, Fitchburg

 Hwy 12/18 and Broadway, Monona

“This effort is about more than stopping or arresting drivers. The goal is to save lives. Educating individuals and communities about the dangers of impaired driving is a part of what we do.”

After the holidays, the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission will announce the number of traffic
stops, including citations and OWI arrests made during this effort. Lt. O’Neil offered these tips for celebrating New Year’s safely:

 If you plan to celebrate, identify a sober designated driver, call a taxi, use a rideshare service
or find another safe ride home.

 Do not allow someone impaired to get behind the wheel. If a friend is about to drive after
drinking or using drugs, take the keys away and help them get home safely.

 If you suspect a driver is impaired, call 911. Provide as much detail as possible on the driver,
vehicle, and location.

Monona Police Chief Brian Chaney, president, Dane County Chiefs of Police Association, emphasized the benefit of all the agencies working together. “This effort brings together larger and smaller law enforcement agencies across the county at one time with one purpose: to save lives and reduce injuries on our county roadways.

“We cannot overstate the importance of abstaining from driving after using alcohol or drugs,” Chief Chaney said. “This enforcement campaign helps us get the message out that driving under the influence is illegal and takes lives. Help us put an end to these needless tragedies.”

Former Dane County resident Kelley Hallingstad shared her story about a crash with a drunk
driver who also had marijuana in his car. It took the life of her unborn son Dean, hospitalized her for 21⁄2
months, nearly resulted in her leg being amputated, and caused her severe PTSD. “He killed my son and
permanently disabled me. My life would never be the same,” she said. In memory of her son and to
prevent others from going through what she has experienced, she later became an addiction counselor
and participates on Victim Impact Panels through the Dane County District Attorney’s office.

Participating Agencies:

Wisconsin State Patrol                                                                                                                             Dane County Sheriff’s Office
Belleville Police Dept.
Blue Mounds Police Dept.
Cottage Grove Police Dept.
Cross Plains Police Dept.
DeForest Police Dept.
Fitchburg Police Dept.

Madison Police Dept.
Maple Bluff Police Dept.
Marshall Police Dept.
McFarland Police Dept.
Middleton Police Dept.
Monona Police Dept.
Mount Horeb Police Dept.
Oregon Police Dept.

Shorewood Hills Police Dept.
Stoughton Police Dept.
Sun Prairie Police Dept.
UW-Madison Police Dept.
Verona Police Dept.
Waunakee Police Dept.

Potential Interviewees: The following may be contacted for comment directly:
1) Cheryl Wittke, Exec. Director, Safe Communities of Madison – Dane County and TSC co-chair.
cwittke@safercommunity.net, (608) 256-6713.
2) Lt. Chad O’Neil, Stoughton, Police Department, Dane County Traffic Safety Commission Law
Enforcement Subgroup Co-chair: coneil@cityofstoughton.com, (608) 646-0453.
3) Chief Brian Chaney, Monona Police Department (president, Dane County Chiefs of Police
Association), BChaney@ci.monona.wi.us, , (608) 222-0463.