The Packers are having another great season this year, but Wisconsin residents tend to be loyal fans even when the team isn’t doing so well. Many fans from Waukesha and around the state will make the drive to Lambeau field in order to catch a live game sometime this season.
But if you plan to attend the divisional playoff game next month, beware. A special drunk driving task force will be in effect with enforcement efforts aimed specifically at post-game drunk drivers.
The increased enforcement campaign will last about four hours that day. This will reportedly be the first time that a Packer game is the target of a full operation by the Brown County drunken driving task force. However, the task force did perform a “trial run” at Lambeau after the game on Dec. 11. Six people were given drunk driving citations.
A representative of the Wisconsin State Patrol’s Bureau of Transportation Safety said: “Over time, we have had a lot of requests for us to increase OWI enforcement in conjunction with Packers home games. As such, we’re responding to those requests by deploying the task force.”
He added: “I don’t think it will be difficult for task force officers to find drunk drivers after the Packers game.”
Because of these increased patrols, it is especially important for fans to plan ahead before attending the game. Even if you enjoy alcohol responsibly and in moderation, you may still find yourself pulled over and subjected to a field sobriety test. The cold weather and the excitement of the game may also hinder your ability to monitor how impaired you feel.
Therefore, it is a good idea to have alternate transportation or lodging planned if you are going to drink at the game. Regardless of whether the Packers win or lose, there is nothing quite like the excitement of attending a home game in person. Please make sure that your game-day experience is not ruined by an unexpected DUI.
Source: Wausau Daily Herald, “DUI task force targets Lambeau Field,” Charles Davis, Dec. 17, 2011