Bill would combine tracking of snowmobile, car, boat OWIs
Author: Jessica Arp, jarp@wisctv.com
MADISON, Wis. - Drunk driving citations for snowmobiles, boats and ATVs would be linked with operating while intoxicated arrests for driving cars under a new bill at the state Capitol.
Rep. Andre Jacque, R-DePere, has reintroduced a bill that was brought forward in 2011 by former Rep. Louis Molepske, D-Stevens Point.
The bill would link OWI citations and arrests for snowmobiles, boats, ATVs and automobiles, which are not currently tracked together. They are also often dealt with by different agencies, with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources handling citations on waterways and trails.
"I think there's a loophole with the DNR violation versus the motor vehicle violation," said Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney.
The penalties are also different for boating or snowmobile offenses for operating while intoxicated.
"Across several different types of vehicles you could have a first offense among four different types of vehicles and none would be considered a repeat offense," Jacque said.
Jacque's bill would increase the penalties for OWI on a snowmobile, including absolute sobriety for those under 21, which is not currently the case.
He said he doesn't find the offenses different depending on the vehicle, and Mahoney agrees.
"Driving a motor vehicle, whether it's an all-terrain vehicle, a snowmobile or a boat is the same as getting behind 1,000-pound car and driving drunk," Mahoney said.
News 3 asked leaders of both the local and statewide snowmobile clubs and both said they had not yet taken a position on the measure and would be talking to their members about it in the coming days.
The bill will be introduced this week. It did not get a vote in committee in 2012.