Wisconsin's New Drunk Driving Law: 4 Strikes And You're Out

MADISON, WI — Repeat drunk drivers will permanently lose their driver’s licenses if they are convicted of 4 or more OWI-related offenses under a bill that is awaiting Gov. Scott Walker's signature.

The bill authored by State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and State Rept. John Spiros (R-Marshfield) passed the senate in Nov. 2017 on a unanimous vote, and just passed the Assembly Thursday night.

“Anyone can make a mistake, but doing it four times is inexcusable. It’s time to get repeat drunk drivers off the road,” Wanggaard said in a prepared statement. “Repeatedly putting lives at risk is inexcusable. This bill permanently takes away driving privileges from those individuals and is a long-time in coming.”

Under the bill, a drunk driver will permanently lose their driving privileges if they are convicted of four OWI-Related offenses during their lifetime. Four-time offenders under the bill will not be eligible for an occupational licenses, but can apply for reinstatement after ten years if they maintain a clean criminal record during that time.

“We’ve all seen the tragic results that result from drunk driving,” Wanggaard said in a prepared statement. “We can’t keep giving people opportunities to hurt themselves and others. We need to get repeat drunk drivers off the road – permanently.”

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the number of alcohol-related crashes decreased over the past five years, though alcohol remains the single greatest driver contributing cause of fatal crashes.

According to state data, in 2015, there were 5,174 alcohol-related crashes in Wisconsin resulting in 190 traffic deaths. An average of one person was killed or injured in an alcohol-related crash every 2.9 hours on Wisconsin roadways.

Wanggaard's office says that the State Senate will agree to the Assembly amendment in March, sending the bill to Governor Walker’s desk.

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