Police cameras useful tool in OWI arrests

Posted: Dec. 14, 2011

City of Oconomowoc - Santa is not the only one who's checking if you're naughty or not.

The City of Oconomowoc Police Department is participating in the statewide Booze and Belts campaign through Dec. 17, targeting impaired drivers and those who are not wearing seat belts.

"Our officers will be out in force during the Booze and Belts mobilization to prevent needless traffic deaths and injuries by arresting drunken drivers and enforcing the mandatory safety belt law," said Public Safety Director David Beguhn.

State law enforcement agencies are continuing the crack down on both violations. Last year in Wisconsin, there were more than 40,000 convictions for drunken driving.

"If you drive drunk you are risking humiliation, huge fines, possible jail time and having to install an ignition interlock device on every vehicle you own, have registered in your name, or drive," said Beghun.

"You also are risking your life and the lives of others on the road," he added.

Wisconsin also tallied nearly 120,000 convictions for failure to fasten safety belts, which was the second most frequent traffic conviction in 2010.

"Our goal is not to make more drunken driving arrests or write more safety belt tickets. We are striving to save lives and prevent injuries, so we hope that people will voluntarily decide to buckle up and drive sober. But, if they don't, our intensified enforcement will increase the risks of getting caught," Beguhn said.

"We will pursue our enforcement and education efforts until we attain our ultimate goal of zero preventable traffic deaths in Wisconsin," he added.

In 2010, the Oconomowoc Police Department had 56 OWI arrests and seven alcohol-related accidents, according to Captain Ron Buerger of the Oconomowoc Police Department.

"In 2010, 220 people were killed and 3,500 injured in alcohol-related crashes in Wisconsin.

"Our goal is to prevent all deaths and injuries caused by drunk drivers. We will aggressively be patrolling for drunk drivers," he said.

"Our roadways are especially busy and more dangerous during this time of year. Motorists need to be aware that drunk drivers are on the roads at all times of the day, not just evenings. Your best protection, besides safe driving, is wearing your seat belt," Buerger added.

Tech edge

Efforts to reduce the number of impaired drivers on the road are helped by the use of in-squad technology.

The equipment has reduced the number of impaired driving cases that are fought in court, explained Buerger.

"We have had video systems in squad cars since 1998. Initially it was a VHS system. In 2006, we switched to WatchGuard DVD video system. With that system we have the capabilities of having regular daylight from the squad camera and also the capability infrared at night. We have a policy in place that requires all traffic stops be filmed and any other contact that the officer thinks could be relevant to having video," he said.

The police captain said the technology serves as an excellent safeguard for both officers and the people arrested by police or have police contact.

"I can tell you that since we put the cameras in our squads, our number of OWI arrests that go to trial have dropped significantly. The defense attorney gets a copy of the video and has a chance to review it and we don't end up getting subpoenaed in court for that many OWIs much anymore," he explained.

"Our cameras have a pre-empt setting; it's continuously recording and records over itself. A minute before we actually turn the camera on, manually or activated by siren, it's recording. We could be at a traffic light and see someone disregard a traffic light or stop sign and that's all recorded.

Often we will have people who disagree with us and ask to come and see the video. Once they see it for themselves, they have a much better understanding of what they actually did.

"It's useful; typically, that resolves it," the captain explained.

"I look at some of our major cases, like the (Mark) Benson car crash," he said in reference to the Summit doctor who was convicted of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle after slamming into the vehicle driven by Oconomowoc High School Administrator Jennifer Bukosky in April 2008. The crash killed Bukosky, her unborn child and 10-year-old daughter. Her 12-year-old son and another child passenger were injured in the accident.

"When our officer was stopped at the intersection of Valley (Road) and (Highway) 67, heading northbound, with the prompt setting we actually had a video of Mark Benson's truck turning right on to Highway 67, moments before the crash. It has become an excellent tool," he added.

Seatbelt use

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, consistent safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people from being ejected from a vehicle or being thrown around violently inside it during a crash.

In Wisconsin, a 10-percent increase in seatbelt use would save about 44 lives and prevent 650 injuries each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Information on the numbers of seatbelt violations issued and accidents with injuries as a result of seatbelt violations in the City of Oconomowoc was not available before deadline.

Teen safety belt use is much lower than other age groups. This lack of seatbelt use coupled with a lack of driving experience is a major reason why traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for young people nationwide Although safety belt use in Wisconsin had 79 percent of drivers and passengers buckling up in 2011, it still lags behind the 84 percent national average for safety belt use.

Wisconsin is also behind neighboring states including Michigan and Illinois, which have safety belt use rates of more than 90 percent.

Drivers and passengers who are hurt or killed in traffic crashes because they didn't buckle up create tremendous economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost worker productivity. The rest of society pays for nearly 75 percent of these economic losses through higher insurance premiums, taxes, and other public funding, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

Each Wisconsin traffic fatality costs more than $1.3 million and each incapacitating injury nearly $70,000 based on National Safety Council estimates.

By the numbers

In 2010, the Oconomowoc Police Department had 56 OWI arrests and 7 alcohol-related accidents. Last year, 220 people were killed and 3,500 injured in alcohol-related crashes in Wisconsin.

In Wisconsin, 79 percent of drivers and passengers buckled up in 2011, compared to the national average of 84 percent. In Wisconsin, a 10 percent increase in seatbelt use would save about 44 lives and prevent 650 injuries each year.

Each Wisconsin traffic fatality costs more than $1.3 million and each incapacitating injury nearly $70,000.