BROWN COUNTY (NBC 26) -- It's a new record for Brown County, one law enforcement hopes New Year’s Eve celebrations won't ruin.
For the first time, the Sheriff's Office says there were no traffic deaths this year caused by alcohol-related crashes in Brown County.
Captain Dan Sandberg credits what he calls the Three E's: enforcement, education and engineering, including about twenty new rumble strips at rural intersections.
“The biggest thing that we can do for OWI reduction is cultural change,” said Captain Sandberg. “And I’m hoping that this is the start of a cultural change that we can maybe start seeing this next year, the year after."
Captain Sandberg also believes the Brown County Tavern League has played a role in that cultural change with its Safe Ride Program.
Bars that are in the program can provide a free cab ride home if you've had too much to drink this New Year’s Eve or any night. Leaders say technology also makes it easy to leave the keys at home.
