Driving while being impaired by drugs or alcohol continues to be a problem throughout the state, including Door County. According to the Department of Transportation, in Door County, 22 people are injured or killed in a crash involving a driver believed to be impaired by drugs or alcohol in an average year. Last week alone, two accidents in the area involved drivers with previous Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) records and where alcohol may have been a factor in the incidents. Door County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Pat McCarty says alcohol is a contributing factor in several crashes on the local roads, and the Sheriff’s Office has zero tolerance for OWI. If a law enforcement officer stops you and fails an administered field sobriety test, you will be arrested for OWI.
McCarty notes that there are plenty of ride-share options available for drivers who may have had too much to drink. He encourages motorists to report any vehicles on the roadways where the driver may be impaired by calling the dispatch center with a description of the vehicle and its location.
Overall, in Door County, most injury and fatal crashes occur between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., with over 40 percent (50/124) happening on a Friday or Saturday. July has the highest number of injuries and fatal crashes of the year.
