Disturbing data on Wisconsin

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:confused:A national study has revealed that clearly one quarter of all drivers on the road at any one time in Wisconsin are intoxicated. Has this impacted your life, your nursing practice?

Do you see this finding as false? If so why? If true, also why?

Thanks for the input.

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I'd like to see that study, because I don't believe it. Maybe at certain times (like bar closing) it's true, but I highly doubt that at 1 pm 25% of people are drunk.

Why? Look around you--are 25% of the people you see in the grocery store drunk? At the hospital? Anywhere?

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I, too, would need to see a source for that info, because it sounds highly unlikely to me.

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Specializes in LTC.

Sorry, I live in Wisconsin and find that information not only disturbing but completely false! 25% on wisconsin drivers intoxicated? sorry I don't think so. Even at bar closing that seems quite excessive to me. This basically is calling wisconsinites a state full of drunks, I am really offended by this.:angryfire Most people I know rarely drink. Where did you find this study? I have heard many things about people in other states too but I realize most of it is just stereotyping! I'd like to see this "study"!

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Sorry, I live in Wisconsin and find that information not only disturbing but completely false! 25% on wisconsin drivers intoxicated? sorry I don't think so. Even at bar closing that seems quite excessive to me. This basically is calling wisconsinites a state full of drunks, I am really offended by this.:angryfire Most people I know rarely drink. Where did you find this study? I have heard many things about people in other states too but I realize most of it is just stereotyping! I'd like to see this "study"!

To be honest, I think Wisconsinites are rather heavy drinkers (myself included, at times) and I still think this claim is bogus. :chuckle

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Specializes in LTC.

the 'fact' that the op is stating is "one quarter of all drivers on the road at any one time in wi are drunk" is what got my goat. i just heard the report on the news a little while ago and the study stated that 25% of those polled replied that they had driven drunk at one time in their lives not that at any given time 25% of drivers in wi are drunk. i just think we need to have the facts straight. i completely buy that 25% of people in wi have driven drunk at one time in their lives and i'll bet that it is probably that high in most states most people just don't admit it. i admit i drove when i shouldn't have in my early 20's, didn't most people in their late teens early 20's in the '80's. (i now in my late 30's maybe have 1 drink every 6 months and certainly don't drive!)

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm not surprised. Here is a link to a story in today's local paper: http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080424/MNH0101/804240375/1980

While, I wouldn't agree with the OP's estimate of 25%, I do believe that we, as a state, have a very major problem.

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Worst Drunken Driving rate in the U.S.--I'll believe that. I'd still like to know where the OP came up with that figure. Methinks a basic research class may be in order.

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Sorry I seem to have offended you people. I heard this on CNN, my daughter (who lives in Green Bay) heard it Fox News, and the sister in NC heard it on Good Morning America news. It did not say 25% of your state drivers admit to being intoxicated while driving, it stated 25% were intoxicated and behind the wheel at any given time. ( I was even asked by a friend at the mall today how I feel about my daughter and grandsons living up there and it being so dangerous driving.) I was sure it was a mistake, so I listened an hour later and it was repeated.

Now, while I have visited a few times, and I have noted more bars than churches in Green Bay, I cannot say a quarter of the drivers are intoxicated. Many are very bad drivers, speed from light to light, don't use signals, seem to be distracted by cell phone or music or something, but that is common in most towns and cities today. So...do any of you working nurses feel that your practice is impacted by increased alcohol use in patients? If not say so. If yes say so.

Did not mean to wage war. Just wondered. I can freely admit that here, meth was a hugh problem in certain areas, the police cracked down but 3 areas still have heavy meth use. Because of meth use, nursing in 3 large facilities and one smaller facility is a nightmare certain times of the month. Just wondered if any of you saw a trend.

So, answer if you feel like it, but I will not be back on your site.

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Probably interviewed students at UW Madison.Hmmmm, maybe 25% of drivers also drive one handed,one hand on the wheel and one holding a bratwurst.:chuckle Barefoot Lady, I dont doubt what you read or heard, I heard it too.

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I did see a guy swerve slowly into what would have been oncoming traffic in Fennimore at about 2am once and then just stop there, apparently passed out at the wheel. That sticks in my mind (but that was only one incident). I could see how the statistics would be high though, because there's really not public transportation and taxis avail. in the rural towns. My dad's car broke down recently and there wasn't a taxi or rent a car service anywhere near. He lives outside of a very small town close to Iowa.

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