Legislature considers “5 strikes” bill for drunk drivers
By Emily Matesic Published: November 12, 2015 Updated: November 12, 2015
The state Legislature continues work on toughening drunk driving laws in Wisconsin.
Wednesday, the Assembly Judiciary Committee listened to testimony on a bill that would revoke the driver’s licenses of repeat offenders.
Assembly Bill 432 is being referred to as “Five Strikes and You’re Out.” It would revoke the driving privileges for 10 years of anyone convicted of OWI five times or more.
Dan Peterson of Racine spoke passionately in favor of the bill. His son was killed by a nine-time OWI offender this past Father’s Day.
“How many people have to die before we say enough?” Peterson asked.
Representatives Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) and Eric Genrich (D-Green Bay) are two supporters of the bill.
Both testified at the Assembly committee hearing.
As explained to the committee, the bill would revoke the license of a driver after their fifth OWI conviction. Ten years after revocation, they could apply to have their license reinstated if they’ve completed counseling and have not been convicted of a felony during the time they’re without a license.
“We’ve seen these habitual incidents over and over again in the Green Bay area and across the state of Wisconsin, and really this is our attempt, my attempt to say enough is enough,” Genrich said.
“Once somebody has been convicted five times of operating under the influence they’ve essentially proven that they are not going to be responsible. They forfeited that right, and we need to find some way to get them off the roadways,” Jacque said.
While all who testified at the hearing agree this law isn’t going to solve all of the drunken-driving issues in the state, they say it’s a step to keeping roads safer.
“These drivers we are targeting with this legislation have multiple opportunities to seek treatment and correct their unacceptable behavior. Because they have not, we must take action to keep them off the roadways to protect Wisconsin communities. The Legislature would send a clear message to those who blatantly violate our traffic laws that driving is a privilege and not a right,” Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) said.
No action was taken on the bill, which has bipartisan support. The committee chairman hopes after a second hearing in December the bill could be sent to the full Assembly for a vote.