OWI information, courtesy Oshkosh Police Department

This is a link to the Wisconsin DOT website with information on Drunk Driving Changes (2010) http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/enforce/owi.htm. The site has good info on the law changes and the required ignition interlock devices (IID’s). Here’s a summary from that webpage:


2009 Wisconsin Act 100 Summary

Wisconsin Act 100 strengthens Wisconsin ’s drunk driving laws. Provisions of Act 100 apply to violations that occur on or after July 1, 2010. There are four main changes to existing law, including:

A fourth offense Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) will be a felony if it occurs within five years of an earlier offense.

Ignition interlock devices (IIDs) will be required for repeat offenders and first-time offenders at or above 0.15 blood alcohol level.

A greater emphasis will be placed on treatment for drunk drivers, helping reduce repeat offenses.

Increases first offense OWI to a misdeameanor if a child under 16 is in the vehicle.

The Oshkosh Police Department received a grant from Wisconsin DOT that supports more frequent alcohol enforcement traffic details. Using data provided by the Department’s crime analyst, we schedule these special details at times when there is the potential for a high frequency of impaired driving and other traffic violations. Winnebago County is fortunate to have the Safe Streets Treatment Options Program; the Options Alcohol Diversion Program for people under 21 who have violated alcohol age laws for the first time; a strong alcohol prevention and intervention program on the UW Oshkosh campus and re:TH!NK, Winnebago’s Healthy Living Partnership http://www.rethinkwinnebago.org/. These combined efforts direct offenders to assessment services and help keep our streets safer for all drivers.