Wisconsin OWI Risk Factors

Some people are more likely to drink and drive than others. Even if you’re a rule breaker or a rebel, it is still important to understand your risk factors, especially when it comes to drinking and driving or a Wisconsin OWI. Risk factors are personal characteristics that point to your likelihood (or not) of doing something dangerous; basically, it is a way of profiling you according to what others like you have done in the past.

Not only that, but even if you’re one to play it safe (or safer), your friends’ risk factors can also impact your safety. Too many times, people look to the “least intoxicated” friend as their designated driver and realize too late that their friend is still too drunk to drive.

Wisconsin OWI risk factors include:

• Blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The more alcohol you drink, the higher your BAC grows. The higher the concentration of alcohol in your body, the chances of getting a Wisconsin OWI go up.
• Gender. Around twice as many males who had their BAC tested last year in Wisconsin had a higher BAC than females.
• Age. In Wisconsin last year, 25-44 year-olds had the highest number of drinking and driving traffic accidents over any other age group (2,332 people).

For these reasons, after a first-offense Wisconsin OWI, an offender has an ignition interlock requirement on top of all other legal and criminal charges. Imagine how many fewer incidents would occur if that requirement was for all offenders… or we all just pledged to never drive while intoxicated.

The biggest Wisconsin OWI risk factor is drinking alcohol without a plan to get home safely. So when you get out of your usual setting, think about your risk factors and the risk factors of the people that you surround yourself with. Planning ahead can prevent you from getting a Wisconsin OWI.