Lawmakers hear emotional testimony on "5 strikes and you're out" OWI proposal
MADISON (WKOW) -- A bipartisan group of state lawmakers wants to tell drunk drivers "five strikes and you're out."
That's what they're calling proposed legislation that would strip a person of their driver's license for at least ten years after a fifth or subsequent OWI conviction.
The father of a 31 year-old Army veteran killed by a nine-time drunk driver in June pleaded with lawmakers to support the bill at a public hearing in front of the Assembly Committee on the Judiciary Thursday.
"Will you sit by while innocent lives are lost? Will you keep doing that? Another life was just taken," said Dan Peterson, whose son Jimmy was killed in Racine on Father's Day.
Jimmy was a passenger in a vehicle struck by a car allegedly operated by Ramone Campbell. Both Peterson and the driver of the car he was riding in were killed. Police said Campbell was drunk at the time. He's been charged with his 9th OWI.
"My family's here. My grandchildren are here. I don't think I could take another loss," said Dan Peterson. "I really don't think I can handle that. I need your help."
The bill's sponsors believe their bill will help prevent future tragedies.
"It has proven to have a deterrent effect, and especially when you have a strong revocation," said Rep. Eric Genrich (D-Green Bay).
Along with permanent revocation of the offender's license, the legislation also prohibits them from getting an occupational license.
"Those sorts of suspensions or revocations are proven to be more successful than others," said Rep. Genrich.
Right now, the state Department of Transportation can revoke licenses for drunk driving for up to one year. Under the bill, the agency also would have to permanently revoke the license of anyone with three or more drunken driving offenses and two or more convictions for serious crimes involving a vehicle. Offenders could apply to get their licenses back after 10 years, but only after passing a complete alcohol or drug abuse assessment.
The sponsors say the number of offenders that would be impacted by the bill is staggering.
"In 2014 alone there were 822 convictions for drivers that committed their fifth or higher OWI offense. 822 people," Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) emphasized. "And those are just the ones that we caught."
"I get to watch this every day on the news," said Peterson. "I can't watch the news anymore. I can't. I get angry all over again."
The lawmakers say their anger is rising as well.
"I think unless we actually find some way to reverse these trends, we in Wisconsin are being hit culturally with this idea that we are tolerant of drunk driving," said Rep. Andre Jacque (R- De Pere).
The committee is expected to vote on the measure December 10.