A state Senator offers a package of OWI legislation. "It's time that the legislature takes a stand, and uses this session to make the roads of Wisconsin safer" says Senator Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn), author of three bills to tackle the issue of deadly drunks on the road. One bill lowers the prohibited Blood Alcohol Content level from .08 to .02 for a second drunk driving offense and subsequent offenses. "Hopefully we'll make that person who got stopped the first time rethink their habits, and what they're doing the next time they get behind the wheel," says Kedzie.
A second end the immediate eligibility provision for an occupational drivers license and replaces it with a 15-day waiting period. "Current law, that happens after the second offense," notes Kedzie. "Why do we not slap the offender the first through, and have them rethink their habits?"
The third bill prohibits a person convicted of driving while drunk from purchasing a vehicle if their license is suspended or revoked. Kedzie says a family in his district was struck by a drunk driver who'd just bought a new car — and whose license had been revoked
"It's my hope that by introducing different packages of common sense bills dealing with drunk driving . . . that we'll have a chance to potentially put an end to what's been a very dangerous trend here in Wisconsin," Kedzie says.
In the Assembly, legislation proposed by Milwaukee Democrat Tony Staskunas would require the installation of ignition interlock devices in cars of drivers after an OWI conviction. The bill's supporters include Mothers Against Drunk Driving as well as the Tavern League of Wisconsin.
