To motivate motorists to drive sober and buckle up, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office will mobilize for the statewide “Booze and Belts” campaign from Dec. 7 to 16.

“Fatal and serious injury traffic crashes can turn a joyous holiday season into a time of tragedy,” said Lt. Lloyd Gauthier. “To prevent these needless tragedies, our officers will be out in force during the Booze and Belts mobilization. While patrolling in greater numbers and for longer hours, they will arrest drunken drivers and ticket unbuckled motorists.”

During Booze and Belts and throughout the year, law enforcement agencies are cracking down on impaired and unbuckled motorists. Last year in Wisconsin, there were approximately 35,000 convictions for drunken driving and nearly 85,000 convictions for failure to fasten safety belts.

“If you drive drunk, you are seriously jeopardizing your life and the lives of others on the road. Even if you’re lucky enough to avoid a crash, you still are risking an arrest that will cause humiliation, huge fines, possible jail time and having to install an ignition interlock device on every vehicle you own, have registered in your name, or drive,” said Lt. Gauthier. “We also take safety belt enforcement seriously. Too many drivers and passengers are seriously injured or killed while being ejected from their vehicles or tossed around violently inside them during a crash.”

The Booze and Belts mobilization is part of a statewide effort to reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths to zero in Wisconsin. “We urge you to make the responsible decision to buckle up and drive sober,” said Lt. Gauthier. “But if you don’t, our intensified enforcement during the mobilization will increase your risks of getting caught.”