March 20, 2014
Drunk driving results in thousands of collisions in Wisconsin, that leave motorists injured or killed each year. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation shows the number of operating while intoxicated (OWI) convictions have risen steadily in recent years with 38,324 motorists in the state facing the charge, compared to the 35,753 individuals arrested for drunken driving in 1990.
State legislators are now considering changes to the law that would increase the penalties for drunk drivers found responsible for injuring others. An article from the Appleton Post-Crescent explains the current penalty is a prison sentence of between 30 days and one year in jail. Under the reformed version of this law, those convicted of injuring another person while driving drunk will face a minimum of 30 days behind bars.
Furthermore, those convicted of OWI for a seventh, eighth, or ninth time would face a minimum sentence of three years in prison.
The bill has passed the state senate and will now go before the house of representatives before receiving final approval from the governor.
At Sigman, Janssen, Sewall, Pitz & Burkham, the Appleton injury lawyers applaud the efforts being made to combat drunk driving in Wisconsin and ask all citizens to never get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol. Instead, utilize a designated driver, cab, or loved one to get you home safely.