Journal Sentinel Series Focuses on Drunken Driving

Beer is an important part of Wisconsin's history. Miller. Pabst. Schlitz. Blatz. All were born in Milwaukee.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin also has a tradition of drinking problems.

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel series studied the issue in 2008. It found the state leads the country in binge drinking. It also leads the country in percentage of drinkers and driving under the influence.

"It is who we are," said Chris Geldon, a 27-year-old supermarket manager from South Milwaukee. "It is almost like there is a drinking expectation, that we embrace it, that we can have a good time and it is part of our culture."

"I guess it is what we are good at," added Bobby Maurer at Jim Hegarty's Pub in Milwaukee.

It is also a problem, some say.

Critics point to a number of negative statistics as proof.

One stands out. Alcohol claims the lives of about 1,250 state residents each year. That is about 2.7% of all deaths statewide.

Drinking kills hundreds by suicides, murders, falls, strokes and liver disease.

Some have also criticized our attitudes toward drinking and soft laws.

For example, first-time drunken driving is a civil violation in Wisconsin. You will not go to jail for it. It is the only state that says it is not a crime.

Newspaper series
The Journal Sentinel reported on those facts and others in its series. The newspaper produced more than 100 stories and editorials on drinking in late 2008.

That includes 72 profiles of victims of alcohol-related crashes "“ one from each county in Wisconsin. The "Sobering Reminders" profiles ran each day for more than two months.

The series also focused on the politics of drinking. The newspaper launched "Capitol Connect." It tracks lawmakers' views and votes on drinking issues.

The newspaper found mixed reviews to changing state laws on drinking.

In one story, state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said he opposes making first-offense drunken driving a crime.

Van Hollen also wants the law changed regarding second offenders. He wants judges to be able to hand out probation to those offenders. Now, they must serve some jail time.

"There are a great number of people "“ people I know personally "“ who have first offenses," Van Hollen said. "I do not consider them criminals. I would not want them tagged that way for the rest of their lives for having made what can legitimately be called a mistake."

Web site launched
The Journal Sentinel is now focusing on the impacts drinking and driving have on young people. It launched the "Straight Talk"� site as the series ended. The Internet address is www.JSOnline.com/straighttalk.

The site is designed as a resource center for parents and teachers about drunken driving. The goal is to get kids thinking about the dangers of drinking and driving.

The facts are sobering:
• The typical Wisconsin teenager takes his first drink by age 16 and gets drunk for the first time by age 17.
• National statistics show that Wisconsin youngsters drink at a rate significantly above the national average.
• Nearly every day someone in Wisconsin dies in a drinking-related crash. Many of them are teenagers.

The site includes profiles of teenagers killed in drunken-driving crashes in recent years. It has photos from crash scenes around the state.

Teachers can find a PowerPoint presentation to use with their students and a video about families that have lost loved ones in drunken driving crashes. Teachers are also encouraged to bring in reporters to speak about the series and drunken driving.

"We hope parents and teachers will share their ideas and thoughts with the goal of making Wisconsin a safer place," said a Journal Sentinel editorial.

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel