03-18-2010 St. Patrick's Day OWI Enforcement Totals

77 Drunk Drivers Arrested on St. Patrick’s Day

 

Milwaukee, WI – Yesterday, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and Southeast Multi-Jurisdictional OWI Task Force conducted an enhanced enforcement deployment targeting drunk drivers.  As a result of their combined enforcement effort, 77 drivers were arrested for Operating While Intoxicated. 

 

The St. Patrick’s Day OWI Enforcement Operation started yesterday from 6a.m. to 4a.m today.  During this time the following activity occurred:

 

  • The first OWI arrest occurred at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday
  • The last OWI arrest took place at 2:23 a.m. Thursday
  • The average prohibited alcohol level was .13
  • The highest prohibited alcohol level was .18
  • 6 people were charged with refusal to submit to a breath test
  • 2 people were charged with a felony Causing Injury by Intoxicated use of a Motor Vehicle
  • A total of 412 citations were issued
  • A total of 4 drunk drivers had prior convictions
    • 5 drunk drivers had 2 convictions
    • 4 drunk drivers had 3 convictions

 

“The ultimate goal of enforcement efforts such as these is not to arrest more drunk drivers, but instead to create a set of values that sees less people drinking and getting behind the wheel.  However, as our numbers reflect, for those who choose to drive drunk, a warning will not be issued---an arrest will be made.”

 

David A. Clarke, Jr.

Sheriff, Milwaukee County

 

“The efforts of all involved are making a difference in many ways.  Removing seventy-seven drunk drivers from the roads inevitably saves lives, avoids injuries and saves the citizens of Wisconsin tremendous financial costs from alcohol-impaired crashes.”

Dwight Lockwood, Regional Program Manager, NHTSA, Region 5

 

###