Mothers Against Drunk Driving continues to fight for tougher drunken driving laws, at the same time certain lawmakers are driving drunk. Kari Kinnard, Executive Director of MADD Wisconsin, says it's been difficult to toughen-up impaired driving laws in the state legislature.
“It's up to every one of us — the voting public, every citizen — to demand that the state legislature look at this issue and get tough on drunk driving. Enough is enough. We want to take back the safety of our roads.”
Kinnard says anytime anyone gets behind the wheel after drinking, they are putting our lives in danger.
Considering 42% of all Wisconsin traffic fatalities involve a drunk driver, Kinnard says lawmakers need new strategies to combat this public health risk … and not just for repeat offenders. The majority of OWI homicides are committed by people with no prior OWI conviction.
“Studies show us that people have driven drunk a minimum of 88 times before they actually get caught that one time.”
Kinnard says drunk driving is a multi-faceted problem. She says Wisconsin needs to look into criminalizing the first offense, having sobriety check points, and putting alcohol ignition interlock devices on every vehicle.
State Representative Jeff Wood, an Independent from Bloomer, was arrested early Friday for drunk driving.
Wood is one of several state elected officials who have been arrested for drunken driving in recent years, including former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager, Russ Decker, Mike Ellis, Frank Boyle, Dave Travis and Jason Fields.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (2:09 MP3)
