DOT releases 'Drive Sober' app

MADISON - Law enforcement officers want to warn Saint Patrick's Day revelers: Drink and drive, and they say they'll catch you.

The Department of Transportation is also offering up a new app, to help you stay safe behind the wheel.

It's a weekend when beer—Green, or otherwise—will be flowing across Northeast Wisconsin.

"St. Patricks' Day ranks right up there with the day before Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve as big drinking holidays,” said Mike Panosh of the Wisconsin State Patrol.

And OWI task forces in several communities, including Brown County, will be out in full force, cracking down on drunk driving.

"We'll have all six of our OWI task forces out this weekend. It's a big, big weekend for us, not just the task force but every agency will be out there this weekend,” said Panosh.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says there is a new friendly reminder to be responsible.

The Zero in Wisconsin app lets users calculate a blood alcohol estimate, spin the beer bottle to pick a designated driver, and even find a cab.

It launched last week. The DOT says 8000 people have already downloaded the app.

"We're targeting that 25 to 35 year old male demographic. That's where the data shows a lot of the intoxicated drivers coming from,” said Major Sandra Huxtable with the Wisconsin State Patrol. She helped developed the app.

At The Bar on Holmgren Way, they're pulling double duty this weekend, catering to basketball tournament fans and St. Patrick's Day crowds. We showed this new app to people here on Friday afternoon. Most say, they've never heard of it.

"I drove last night and we got someone else for today. We just take turns,” said Sid Hoke, in town from Colfax.

Hoke says the new app may work for some, but he prefers the old fashioned way.

The state patrol says whether using new technology or just taking turn, it's important to pick your sober, safe way home before you start a night of fun.

Appleton and Green Bay Police Departments say they've upped their patrols as well.

Officers don't just look for intoxicated drivers.

They'll also be looking for speeders and seat belt use.

Watch a promotional video for the app:

The app can be downloaded for free for both iPhone and Android devices.

• Click here to download the app on iTunes (iPhone)
• Click here to download the app on Google Play (Android)