Lawmaker wants OWI penalties broadened
MADISON -- A state lawmaker wants all types of operating while intoxicated offenses to be used against a person when setting penalties.
Assembly Republican Andre Jacque of De Pere is preparing a bill to let drunk driving arrests for motor vehicles, boats, and snowmobiles be considered together when determining a person's total number of offenses.
Jacque said he's heard from law enforcement officials who say they want to "level the playing field" for repeat offenses.
Currently, a person can be cited for driving all three types of vehicles while drunk and because they're considered separately, they are not legally repeat offenses. Jacque also said his bill would make penalties apply to all types of vehicles, so a person with a license suspension for driving a car while drunk would also have boating and snowmobile privileges cut off.