Expect Increased OWI Enforcement Around Halloween

When most people hear "October," they think of a month with cooler weather, colorful fall foliage, and Halloween celebrations. Halloween has proven to be a favorite holiday for people across the country. However, there are some things more frightening than the ghosts and ghouls lurking through neighborhood streets. The Halloween season often sees an increase in drivers operating their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol, which means an increase in avoidable risk to the lives of others. Because of this increased risk, people should expect OWI enforcement to be higher around Halloween.

Why Halloween sees increases in OWI and enforcement

Halloween is one of the most popular times of the year for families, especially those with young children, to be in the streets. It is also a popular time for young adults and other revelers to attend parties and social events where alcoholic beverages are easily available for consumption. These factors significantly increase the chances of fatalities as a result of a driver operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

OWI accidents have accounted for almost half of all traffic fatalities on October 31st in past years. With Halloween falling on a weekend in 2021, law enforcement officials are expecting an even bigger increase in OWIs on this day. This means that local law enforcement agencies will conduct more mobile patrols and OWI checkpoints throughout the holiday.

Operating While Intoxicated in Wisconsin 

Wisconsin’s Operating While Intoxicated law prohibits any person from operating a motor vehicle when his blood alcohol concentration (or BAC) is 0.08 percent or greater. This means that under Wisconsin law, a person whose bloodstream is composed of 0.08 percent of alcohol is legally considered impaired and not permitted to operate a motor vehicle.

The 0.08 percent standard applies to first, second, and third offenses. Once a person commits an OWI for a fourth or fifth time, that standard is lowered to 0.02 percent. Penalties for a first offense can result in temporary license revocation, and penalties for subsequent offenses can result in up to six years behind bars and a lifetime license revocation. These penalties increase even more when an OWI results in the injury or death of another. Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated can result in 25 years of imprisonment and up to $100,000 in fines. Of course, this imprisonment term increases with any prior OWI convictions or license revocations.

Facing an OWI Charge? Call Us Today

While there is a standard for determining whether a driver is impaired, the best practice is to avoid driving after consuming any alcoholic beverages. Ensure that you have a designated driver or a driving service available to you before you partake in Halloween festivities.

If you find yourself facing an OWI charge, call the experienced attorneys at the Cohen Law Offices at (715) 514-5051 for your free consultation. An OWI requires a skilled and knowledgeable attorney to find the best defense in each case. For representation that you can trust, call the Cohen Law Offices today.