- Governor Jim Doyle
- Page Three
- August 29,2008
"Fewer alcohol-related crashes occur when sobriety checkpoints are implemented, according to a COC report published in the December 2002 issue of Traffic Injury Prevention. The goal of these interventions is to deter alcohollimpaired driving by increasing drivers' perceived risk of arrest. The conclusion that they are effective in reducing alcohol-related crashes is based on a systematic review of research about sobriety checkpoints. The review was conducted by a team of experts led by COC scientists, under the oversight of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services-a 15-member, non-federal group of leaders in various health-related fields. The review combined the results of 23 scientifically-sound studies from around the world. Results indicated that sobriety checkpoints consistently reduced alcohol-related crashes, typically by about 20 percent. The results were similar regardless of how the checkpoints were conducted, whether short-term or when checkpoints were used continuously for several years. This suggests that the effectiveness of checkpoints does not diminish over time. *
In a 2007 state ranking, based on the percent of traffic fatalities that involve an impaired driver, Wisconsin ranked dead last. .. not just 50th, but 51st, as the District of Columbia was included in the ranking. We reside behind every other state in our union, with over 42% of our traffic fatalities involving a drunken driver compared to an 18% rate in the first place state of Utah. Many may dismiss this ranking system through anecdotal justifications. Everyone knows that Utah, as a largely Mormon culture, eschews the use of alcohol, right? Milwaukee is Beer City USA, a tavern culture! The second place state, with a 24% rate of traffic fatalities involving a drunk driver, is Kentucky. Bourbon production is one of the Bluegrass State's most recognized and enduring legacies, with ninety-eight percent of all domestic bourbon being made there, according to the Kentucky Distillers Association. It is part of their culture. But, apparently, driving drunk is not; at least not to the extent that it is here in the Dairy State.
As the former Attorney General of our great state, you know that Wisconsin State Statute 349.02 (2)(a) specifically prohibits the employment of sobriety checkpoints, by virtue of the following language:
"Notwithstanding sub. (1), a police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, traffic officer or motor vehicle inspector may not stop or inspect a vehicle solely to determine compliance with a statute or ordinance ... unless the police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, traffic officer or motor vehicle inspector has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of a statute or ordinance ... has been committed."
* Elder RW, Shults RA, Sleet DA, Nichols JL, Zaza S, Thompson RS. Effectiveness of sobriety checkpoints for reducing alcohol-involved crashes. Traffic Injury Prevention 2002;3:266-74.
