WISCONSIN – Local legislators have proposed legislation in the state assembly and senate to strengthen Wisconsin’s OWI laws, closing “loopholes” that they say contribute to keeping repeat offenders on the road.
“I was a drunk driving prosecutor before I ran for office…” said Representative Ryan Spaude, formerly an assistant district attorney in the Brown County District Attorney’s Office. “The legislation that we introduced a few months ago — Assembly Bill 1132 and Senate Bill 1111 — that legislation is based off my experience in the DA’s office and it also builds on past legislation… It closes three big loopholes. That’s what this bill’s all about.”
“Since I was elected, I’ve had two daughters who have gotten their driver’s licenses, and I think parents know that fear when your kid hits the road — the sweaty-knuckled drives when you’re next to them in the car and you’re putting your foot on the phantom break…” said Representative Deb Andraca. “But in Wisconsin, we have a really unique thing to worry about because our drunk driving laws are so weak that no matter how well we parent our own kids, no matter how responsible they are… We have to worry more about who else is on the road. How many times have they been out drinking and driving behind the wheel and how close are they to your family members?”…