December is here, and with it, another season of holiday celebrations. Don’t cut the party short by driving impaired — it is dangerous, reckless and never the only option, Wisconsin State Patrol advises.

Wisconsin State Patrol’s December Law of the Month brings attention to impaired driving laws and encourages motorists to find safe ways to get to their destinations this holiday season.

“Across the state, Wisconsinites are celebrating the holidays and the end of another year,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said in a news release. “We encourage everyone to take responsibility and plan ahead if you plan to celebrate. Designate a sober driver ahead of time, take public transit, or use a rideshare program to keep yourself and others safe on the roads. There is never an excuse for driving impaired.”

On average, someone is injured or killed in an impaired driving crash every two hours in Wisconsin. In 2023, there were more than 7,700 impaired driving crashes that claimed the lives of 186 people on Wisconsin roads.

In Wisconsin, drivers are prohibited from operating any vehicle with a blood-alcohol concentration of more than 0.08. Under Wisconsin’s “not a drop” law, drivers younger than age 21 are prohibited from having any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. Drivers may not have any illegal drugs in their system when behind the wheel.

Motorists who refuse a blood/breath alcohol test will lose their license for at least one year and may have their vehicle impounded.

The Wisconsin State Patrol will continue to highlight the danger impaired driving poses throughout the holiday season with its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Running from Dec. 13 through Jan. 1, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is an annual holiday partnership with local law enforcement to keep Wisconsin roads safe and free of impaired drivers.

Driving impaired carries serious consequences. Operating while intoxicated, or OWI, in Wisconsin can cost about $10,000.

To stay safe and save money on the road this holiday season —

— Select a sober designated driver ahead of time. Those feeling impaired likely are over the 0.08 blood-alcohol concentration limit and should not drive.

— Remember other options: Call a taxi, use a rideshare or ask a sober friend to drive you home.

— If a friend is about to drive under the influence, step in. Take away their keys and get them home safely.

— If it’s your turn to be the sober driver, take that job seriously.

— If you suspect a driver is impaired, safely gather as much information as possible about the vehicle, driver and location. Then call 911.

For more information, go to https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/law/lom.aspx.