Dane County Sheriff's Office Honored for Efforts to Reduce Impaired Driving

September 23, 2008
Contact: Elise Schaffer, PIO Phone: (608) 284-6142 Email: schaffer@co.dane.wi.us
Sheriff's Office

On Thursday, September 25th, Mother’s Against Drunk Driving will recognized the Dane County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts to reduce impaired driving in Wisconsin. The awards ceremony will take place at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh at 6:00 pm. Traffic safety has always been a priority for the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. In 2007, that priority was emphasized when three additional deputies were added to the Traffic Team, bringing the total number to six. The Sheriff’s Office has also made a significant impact on traffic safety by taking full advantage of many statewide grants offered to law enforcement agencies from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. They include such projects as the Drive SMART program, the Comprehensive Alcohol Risk Reduction Project, and Safe Rider programs at local festivals. The Sheriff’s Office recognizes that enforcement alone cannot keep impaired drivers off our roads. Deputies also spend time going to local schools and speaking with driver education students about the risks of drinking and driving. “Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in impaired driving. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is committed to turning this statistic around through education and enforcement,” said David Mahoney, Sheriff of Dane County. In 2007, Dane County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 371 drivers for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), and 10 drivers were arrested for OWI Causing Injury. ###