COTTAGE GROVE, Wis. — New Year’s Eve is right around the corner, and there’s a lot of work that goes into making sure you can ring in 2024 safely.

What You Need To Know

  • The Dane County Sheriff's Office will have extra patrols on the road on New Year's Eve

  • An OWI ticket is nearly $1,000 for the first offense

  • Bars that are members of the Tavern League will offer free rides with the SafeRide Program
  • Ask a bartender or server if their establishment participates

Jennifer Grafton is a Deputy with the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, based in Cottage Grove. She’s always keeping an eye out for any traffic violations, but days like New Year’s Eve mean she and her team must be extra vigilant.

“Drinking is not the only source of impairment,” Deputy Grafton said. “There’s also drug use, which we’re seeing a lot of, and also the abuse of prescription medication.”

The sheriff’s office will have extra patrols on the roads thanks to a grant from the state, all of whom will keep a watchful eye.

“Sometimes there’s some more obvious drivers who are all over the road, driving the wrong way on a highway,” Grafton said. “But we can also stop you for having a taillight out, or expired registration.”

Doubledays in Cottage Grove is just one bar in the area getting ready to host celebrations for the New Year. Debbie Stueber and her husband Gary have been running the bar for over 20 years. They’re expecting at least 300 people on Sunday and want to make sure they all celebrate safely.

“A lot of people do tend to binge drink a little more during the holidays,” Stueber said. “So, we just want to make sure everybody gets home safe. No family needs anything like this.”

Stueber is also president of the Madison/Dane County Tavern League, which offers the SafeRide program. She said she’s committed to making sure everyone gets home safe after ringing in the New Year.

“I’m not afraid to ask anybody if they have a ride home, or if they need a ride home,” Stueber said. “Personally, I’ve given people rides home myself.”

With extra patrols out on the roads for the holiday, Deputy Grafton said the consequences for driving drunk can be life altering, resulting in injuries or even death.

“Not only is the ticket almost $1,000 for first offense, but you also have the loss of your driver’s license, a possible ignition interlock device installation, the classes that come with that and then potentially having to apply for an occupational license,” she said.

So, while Stueber cleans glasses and decorates the bar to prepare for the celebrations, she’s also stocking up on SafeRide vouchers for anyone who needs them.

“We are happy to provide a safe ride home,” she said. “Don’t hesitate to ask the bartenders or the servers.”

To learn more about the SafeRide program, click here.