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Updated: 10:52 PM Apr 23, 2008
Wisconsin Tops Drunk Driving List
According to a new study, more than 25% of Wisconsin drivers admit to driving under the influence.
Posted: 4:49 AM Apr 23, 2008 |
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Binge drinking and alcoholism are serious concerns in Wisconsin. And now another troubling trend has people living in La Crosse wondering how safe that driver in the next lane might be.
A study done by the federal government shows Wisconsin is number one when it comes to people who admit to driving drunk, and locally police say our numbers aren't very good.
"In 2007 we arrested 510 drunk drivers which was down a little bit from 2006," says La Crosse police captain Robert Abraham.
The number of O.W.I. arrests in La Crosse might be down, but Abraham says we could still do better.
"When you look at 510, that's more than one a day that we're arresting on average."
The report from the Department of Health and Human services shows more than 25% of adults in Wisconsin drive under the influence of alcohol. And that has some people we talked to worried, but not surprised.
"You see a lot of headlines about people getting five DUI's," commented Tripp Evenson.
"It makes me concerned especially for my children. Concerned about safety and the well being of everyone," says Sandy Brauer.
Abraham says if you do decide to drink, public transportation is a good and safe way to get home.
"If you are going to go out and have a few drinks, make arrangements, have a designated driver."
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says alcohol is involved in more than a third of all fatal traffic crashes in the state.
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