Dear Editor:

How many potentially life or death decisions do you make? Although it might not seem like a decision with drastic consequences, your choice to give up your car keys when you’re impaired or to stop a friend from driving drunk could be a lifesaver.

Tragically, too many people still get behind the wheel when they’re not sober. On average, someone is killed or injured in an alcohol-related crash in Wisconsin approximately every three hours.

To combat drunken driving, UW-Whitewater police officers will be out in force from Aug. 21 to Sept. 7, which includes the Labor Day weekend, for the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

Drunken driving is entirely preventable. So we urge you to use a designated driver or find another way home if you’re impaired. The Zero In Wisconsin traffic safety initiative also offers a free “Drive Sober” mobile app that can be downloaded by visiting zeroinwisconsin. gov.

During this crackdown on drunken drivers and throughout the year, we are serious when we say, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

– Officer Stephen J. Hanekamp