The Dane County Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) and its member law enforcement agencies jointly issued an urgent appeal to motorists not to drive after using alcohol or drugs, especially during the holiday season. This plea
comes as the Wisconsin State Patrol, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, and all local police departments in the county launch a two-week special enforcement and education effort to get impaired drivers off the roads.
“Last year, we had 523 traffic crashes in Dane County that involved alcohol,” said Melissa Agard, Dane County Executive, who joined area law enforcement officers at a press conference today. “Sadly, 18 people lost their lives and 251 others were injured. The number of traffic crashes involving alcohol and resulting in death or injury last year was the highest in six years.”
Lt. Chad O’Neil, Stoughton Police Department and co-chair of the TSC Law Enforcement Subgroup, said from December 19 through January 1, all 20 law enforcement agencies across the county will increase enforcement and education on impaired driving. “That’s because the holidays, and especially New Year’s Eve, are one of the deadliest times of the year for traffic crashes involving impaired drivers.”
County Executive Agard said, “So far in 2025, 494 total impaired driving crashes, including 164 injury crashes, resulted in 14 fatalities and 218 injuries. This is a significant public health problem for our county. Far too many lives are lost and families broken because someone made the bad decision to drive under the influence.”
As just one indication of the extent of the problem, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett described a 90-minute period in early November when his department alone issued five OWI citations in McFarland (2), Cottage Grove (2), Middleton. “The five OWI arrests in a 90-minute timeframe is an example of how prevalent impaired driving is in Dane County. Five lives quietly saved while our community slept. We must continue our prevention efforts through education, enforcement and deterrence,” he said.
Lt. O’Neil added, “It’s important to remember impaired driving includes not only use of alcohol but also drugs. Driving under the influence of both at the same time is an increasingly dangerous trend. Last year, 22% of crashes involving alcohol or drugs involved both. These crashes involving motorists using both alcohol and drugs were up 21% from the average of the previous five years.”
Lt. O’Neil announced eight areas in the county identified as “hotspots,” where the highest number of impaired driving crashes have occurred and where other drivers and pedestrians should be especially watchful:
In Madison:
Hwy 113 (Northport Dr./Packers Ave.) from Warner Park to International Lane
East Washington Ave. near East Towne Mall
East Washington Ave. near Hwy 30 and Aberg Ave.
Hwy. 51 near Buckeye Dr.
Through Dane County:
Monona: Monona Dr from Femrite Dr., past E. Broadway to the Beltline
Fitchburg: Hwy. D/Fish Hatchery Rd. from McKee Rd to the Beltline
Windsor, DeForest, Morrisonville: I-90 and Hwy 51
Mount Horeb: Hwys. 18 and 92
“This effort is about more than stopping or arresting drivers. The goal is to save lives. Educating our communities about the dangers of impaired driving is a part of what we do,” said Lt. O’ Neil. After the holidays, the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission will announce the number of traffic stops, including citations and OWI arrests made during this effort.
Lt. O’Neil offered these tips for celebrating the holidays safely:
Never drink and drive
Never allow someone who is impaired to get behind the wheel.
If you plan to celebrate with alcohol, identify a sober designated driver, call a taxi, use a rideshare service or find another safe ride home.
If you suspect a driver is impaired, call 911.
Oregon Police Chief Jennifer Pagenkopf, president, Dane County Chiefs of Police Association, emphasized the benefit of all the agencies working together. “This effort brings together larger and smaller law enforcement agencies across the county at one time with one purpose: to save lives and reduce injuries on our county roadways. This enforcement campaign helps us get the message out that driving under the influence is illegal and takes lives. Help us put an end to these needless tragedies.”
Former Dane County resident Brian Dunleavy shared his story about a devastating crash that took the life of his son. A drunk driver leaving his fourth bar and driving 100 mph crashed into a car where Dunleavy’s 20-year-old son, Conor, was a passenger. It is even more tragic because Conor had finally agreed to enter treatment the next day for his own drug problems. “That driver destroyed my son’s future and changed my life, my wife’s life and my daughter’s life forever. I am committed to tell Conor’s story in hopes it will prevent others from going through what my family has experienced.”
********** Participating Agencies *********
Wisconsin State Patrol
Dane County Sheriff’s Office
Belleville Police Dept.
Blue Mounds Police Dept.
Cottage Grove Police Dept.
Cross Plains Police Dept.
DeForest Police Dept.
Fitchburg Police Dept.
Madison Police Dept.
Maple Bluff Police Dept.
Marshall Police Dept.
McFarland Police Dept.
Middleton Police Dept.
Monona Police Dept.
Mount Horeb Police Dept.
Oregon Police Dept.
Shorewood Hills Police Dept.
Stoughton Police Dept.
Sun Prairie Police Dept.
UW-Madison Police Dept.
Verona Police Dept.
Waunakee Police Dept.
