Wisconsin News and Sports
Wisconsin has a new law against drunk driving coming on the books Thursday, but a state lawmaker says more needs to be done still.
State Representative Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) also says lawmakers missed an opportunity to do more when, earlier this year, they refused to kick out a colleague who had repeat OWI offenses. [Read more...]
In communities across the state, Safe Ride programs offer an easy way to get home for bar patrons who have had too much to drink.
State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) says the initiative helps customers avoid becoming a drunk driving statistic, with nearly 54,000 people taking advantage of the program over the last two years. She says it’s of particular importance in rural areas, where no public transportation options exist. [Read more...]
Drunk drivers in Wisconsin will face tougher penalties, under legislation Governor Doyle is expected to sign into law later today. The Governor is scheduled to sign legislation this morning at a Capitol ceremony that would make 4th offense OWI a felony, along with other increased penalties and expanded treatment options. [Read more...]
The father of a Schofield girl killed by a drunken driver wants to see even tougher laws.
Steve Meinel says the law passed Wednesday doesn’t go far enough and is disappointed that lawmakers haven’t done more to address the problem.
The bill passed by lawmakers Wednesday would make fourth offense drunk driving a felony, increases penalties for first time offenders, and expands treatment programs.
One change Meinel says he’d like to see made is legalizing sobriety checkpoints to provide some social fear for offenders. He also wants to see first time offenders punished substantially, in order to change their behavior in the future.
Meinel’s 14-year-old daughter Lacey was killed by a wrong-way drunk driver last January. Her classmates have drafted a petition for lawmakers to pass “Lacey’s Law.” The measure would require a 30-day jail sentence for first-time offenders, a six-month sentence for second offenders and harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
AUDIO: Matt Lehman reports (:40)
It’s not everything he wants in drunk driving legislation, but Governor Jim Doyle is eager to crack down on people who drive in Wisconsin under the influence of alcohol.
“I really want to give credit to the legislators that have worked this out and come to agreement on the drunk driving bill.” He says, “They deserve a lot of credit … and are gonna to put a bill on my desk that I’m gonna be very pleased to sign.” [Read more...]
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