Governor Doyle Signs Drunk Driving Bill
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today signed legislation to strengthen Wisconsin ’s drunk driving laws. At the signing, the Governor was surrounded by law enforcement officers, doctors and medical professionals, advocates and many people whose family or friends were killed due to drunk drivers.
“This bill is an important step in the fight against drunk driving in Wisconsin ,” Governor Doyle said. “We still have a long way to go. The bill is not everything everybody wanted, and it’s not everything I wanted. But it is a good bill and another major step forward to fight drunk driving.”
Senate Bill 66 makes four main changes to current law. The costs associated with the bill will be offset by increased fees and penalties for drunk drivers. Changes include:
Fourth offense OWI will be a felony if it occurs within five years of an earlier offense;
Ignition interlocks will be required for repeat offenders and first-time offenders with at or above a 0.15 blood alcohol level;
A greater emphasis will be placed on treatment for drunk drivers, helping reduce repeat offenses; and
Increases first offense OWI to a misdemeanor if a child under 16 is in the vehicle.
"On behalf of Wisconsinites who have demanded safer streets, I thank Governor Doyle for signing drunk driving reform today," Senator Jim Sullivan said. "I think it is particularly poignant that we were able to sign this important legislation into law leading into the holiday season. Our history in this state is full of instances where somebody's joyous occasion and holidays have been turned into tragedy because of alcohol-related accidents. The timing could not be more appropriate."
“I am proud to be a part of this momentous step towards strengthening Wisconsin ’s drunk driving laws,” Representative Tony Staskunas said. “Each session since I was first elected, I have introduced legislation to combat drunk driving and make our roadways safer. I am delighted that this session we were able to pass this comprehensive proposal that addressed punishment, prevention and treatment.”
Governor Doyle has spent his career fighting drunk driving – as a District Attorney, Attorney General and Governor. In his first few months as Governor, he signed legislation setting a .08 blood alcohol standard for drivers in Wisconsin . The Governor also signed bills strengthening the .08 standard, increasing penalties for underage drivers with alcohol in their system, and eliminating a loophole in the drunk driving law to help law enforcement and district attorneys.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Sullivan and Plale and Representatives Staskunas and Zepnick for their work on the bill.
“This bill is an important step in the fight against drunk driving in Wisconsin ,” Governor Doyle said. “We still have a long way to go. The bill is not everything everybody wanted, and it’s not everything I wanted. But it is a good bill and another major step forward to fight drunk driving.”
Senate Bill 66 makes four main changes to current law. The costs associated with the bill will be offset by increased fees and penalties for drunk drivers. Changes include:
Fourth offense OWI will be a felony if it occurs within five years of an earlier offense;
Ignition interlocks will be required for repeat offenders and first-time offenders with at or above a 0.15 blood alcohol level;
A greater emphasis will be placed on treatment for drunk drivers, helping reduce repeat offenses; and
Increases first offense OWI to a misdemeanor if a child under 16 is in the vehicle.
"On behalf of Wisconsinites who have demanded safer streets, I thank Governor Doyle for signing drunk driving reform today," Senator Jim Sullivan said. "I think it is particularly poignant that we were able to sign this important legislation into law leading into the holiday season. Our history in this state is full of instances where somebody's joyous occasion and holidays have been turned into tragedy because of alcohol-related accidents. The timing could not be more appropriate."
“I am proud to be a part of this momentous step towards strengthening Wisconsin ’s drunk driving laws,” Representative Tony Staskunas said. “Each session since I was first elected, I have introduced legislation to combat drunk driving and make our roadways safer. I am delighted that this session we were able to pass this comprehensive proposal that addressed punishment, prevention and treatment.”
Governor Doyle has spent his career fighting drunk driving – as a District Attorney, Attorney General and Governor. In his first few months as Governor, he signed legislation setting a .08 blood alcohol standard for drivers in Wisconsin . The Governor also signed bills strengthening the .08 standard, increasing penalties for underage drivers with alcohol in their system, and eliminating a loophole in the drunk driving law to help law enforcement and district attorneys.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Sullivan and Plale and Representatives Staskunas and Zepnick for their work on the bill.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 5:44 PM
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