It's a potential time bomb

Check out this article re: going ons in Wisconsin. I don't think they are alone and are among other states trying to shore up budget shortfalls by letting criminals out of jail early. Don't have the answer to budget woes but certainly endangering more people by letting criminals out early can't be the answer. All convicted drunk drivers must get an interlock to make sure they don't drive drunk. That is part of the solution.

Wisconsin Drunk Driving Laws Still a Joke

Wisconsin - the only state in the country that doesn't consider drunk driving a crime at first blush - failed to pass a bill to remedy that situation last week. Not so coincidentally, a police chief in the state as well as state Rep. Jeff Wood were pulled over and cited for drunk driving.

The arrest was the police chief's first on charges of driving while in intoxicated, but not so for Rep. Wood. Last week's arrest marks his second OWI arrest this year, and fourth overall.

Wood already faces third-offense charges stemming from a Dec. 12 arrest after he crashed through a highway sign with an alleged blood-alcohol level of 0.15. Wood was also convicted of drunken driving in 1990 and 1991.

In his latest arrest Wood had trouble completing field sobriety tests, but a preliminary breath test for alcohol in his system was 0.00. Troopers did find prescription drugs and cough syrup in his car.

Clearly, by not making OWI a crime on first offense, the cultural ambivilance to driving while intoxicated continues in the state.

Wisconsin Progress Still Behind the Times

The Wall Street Journal reported today that while Wisconsin legislators are making efforts to deal with the state's anemic drunk driving laws, their progress is still well behind the rest of the states.

Wisconsin is currently the only state that treats a first offense DUI as a traffic citation, which means no real penalties are assessed until an offender happens to get busted twice. They also are one of only 10 states that do not allow sobriety checkpoints, a law enforcement tool proven to reduce fatalities by 20 percent.

Legislators are embracing ignition interlocks for all offenders. But until Wisconsin decides to make drunk driving a crime the first time, these solutions won't have the lifesaving effect experience by other states like New Mexico.

Wisconsin Teen Leads Anti-Drunk Driving Campaign

After the death of Lacey Meinel in a crash caused by an accused drunk driver, 15-year-old Lexi Zuleger launched a petition drive to convince Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker and other lawmakers of the need for tougher drunk driving penalties.

Read the complete story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

In 2007, 313 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in Wisconsin.

Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving.

Man Arrested for 5th Offense in Wisconsin

Just in case you needed more proof that Wisconsin has a drunk driving problem, WKOW in Madison reported that a man was arrested for drunk driving after blowing a 0.134 and failing standard sobriety tests.

Woman arrested 3 times in 3 days for drunk driving

A woman vacationing in Wisconsin was arrested for drunk driving 3 times in 3 days. Maybe she needs to take a different kind of vacation next time.

Man with 7 Drunk Driving Convictions Mistakenly Charged with First Offense

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a 37-year-old Wisconsin man with seven prior drunk driving convictions was mistakenly issued a first-offense citation for operating while intoxicated after he was arrested in October. The mistake was uncovered after the man was arrested on suspicion of his ninth OWI.

People continue to drive drunk because they can. Studies have shown that ignition interlocks are an average of 64 percent effective in reducing repeat drunk driving offenses.

Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders.

Wisconsin Man Faces 7th DUI After Girl Falls From Truck

A Madison man has been arrested on tentative charges of seventh-offense drunken driving after a 13-year-old girl fell out of the passenger door of his pickup truck. Read the story on MSNBC.com.

• In 2007, 313 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in Wisconsin.

People continue to drive drunk because they can. Studies have shown that ignition interlocks are an average of 64 percent effective in reducing repeat drunk driving offenses.

Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Wisconsin.

Calls for Tougher Drunk Driving Laws in Wisconsin Renewed After Man Arrested for 8th DUI

A story from WTMJ News Radio reports that an 8-time drunk driver arrested after hitting a college student, several cars and a light pole and a 7-time drunk driver arrested for drunk driving twice in 8 days have renewed calls for Wisconsin to get tougher on people who repeatedly drive under the influence.

In 2007, 313 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in Wisconsin.

People continue to drive drunk because they can. Studies have shown that ignition interlocks are an average of 64 percent effective in reducing repeat drunk driving offenses.

Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Wisconsin.

Most Felony Drunk Drivers in Milwaukee County Avoid Prison

According to an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, fewer than half the people sentenced for a fifth-offense drunk driving felony in Milwaukee County go to prison. Additionally, “almost two-thirds of people sentenced under the stricter law spent a year or less in custody. Those with higher blood-alcohol levels didn't always serve more time. And almost a quarter of the people convicted of the fifth-offense felony between 1999 and 2006 already have re-offended - some more than once.”

In 2007, 313 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in Wisconsin.Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Wisconsin.

Contact your lawmakers about mandating ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers.

Fighting in Honor of Carlos Cordero, Drunk Driving Victim

On Father’s Day, June 18, 2006, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 26 year-old Carlos Cordero was killed by a drunk driver who ran a red light on a residential street.

His family was devastated after his death, but his sister Sally was determined to fight for justice for Carlos. She contacted MADD as soon as she heard the prosecutor was hoping for a two-to-three-year sentence for killing her brother and injuring three others. She was appalled by a past conviction sheet of similar charges that MADD showed her, noting that some offenders only got parole or a year in jail.

With the community’s support, Carlos’ family stayed united and succeeded. The drunk driving offender was sentenced to 26 years, spending 12 years without any possibility of parole or good behavior.

Read all of the Cordero family's story.

21-Year Old Wisconsin Woman Accused of Killing Another Woman During Drunk Driving Hit and Run Had Previous Drunk Driving Arrests

Prosecutors say 21-year-old Jessica McKay drove drunk, ran a red light, and hit and killed 25-year-old Melissa Ahrens in Milwaukee, then fled the scene.

According to the article from TMJ4 in Milwaukee, McKay was arrested for drunk driving in Waukesha County in April 2007. She was convicted in May and the very next day she was arrested again in Dodge County for once again driving drunk.

Ignition interlocks might have prevented this tragedy. Contact your lawmakers and urge them to require alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders.

Wisconsin Drunk Driving Suspect Thanks Officers for Stopping Him

A Wisconsin man arrested for suspicion of drunk driving for a fifth time thanked officers for pulling him over. Read the complete story from the Sheboygan Press.

In 2007, 313 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in Wisconsin.

Contact your lawmakers about mandating ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers.

Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Man Arrested for 10th Drunk Driving Offense

A Wisconsin man was in court this week facing his 10th charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Read the complete story from The Capital Times.

Studies have shown that ignition interlocks are an average of 64 percent effective in reducing repeat drunk driving offenses. Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Wisconsin.

Driver in Fatal Wisconsin Crash Had Six Prior DUI Arrests

Police said alcohol was a factor for both drivers involved in a crash that left one person dead in Wisconsin and that one driver had six prior DUI arrests. Read the complete story from WISN.

Studies have shown that ignition interlocks are an average of 65 percent effective in keeping convicted drunk drivers from recommitting the crime, as long as the ignition interlock is installed on the vehicle. Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

Woman Arrested for 13th DUI in Wisconsin

An Illinois woman was arrested by Wisconsin police for her 13th drunk driving offense.
Read the complete story from The Racine Journal Times.

Contact your lawmakers about mandating ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers.

Wisconsin Man Sent to Prison for 12th Drunk Driving Offense

A Luck, Wisconsin man was sentenced to three years in prison for his 12th drunk driving offense. Read the complete story from WEAU.

Sign the Pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Man Sentenced to 5-Years for Drunk Driving Crash That Killed Son

A 56-year-old West Bend man will serve five years in prison for drunk driving and causing the death of his 9-year-old son.

Read the complete story from WBAY-Green Bay.

Wisconsin Man Arrested for Drunk Driving Twice in Two Hours

A Sheboygan man is behind bars after being arrested twice for drunken driving within two hours early Tuesday.

Read the complete story from FoxNews.com.

Wisconsin Man Arrested for Drunk Driving Twice in Two Hours

A Lafayette County man was arrested twice in less than two hours for drunk driving on Friday night. Read the complete story from WMTV NBC-15.

In 2006, 42 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in Wisconsin were the result of drunk driving. The laws in the state still don’t recognize a fourth DUI conviction as a felony offense. In an effort to bring attention to this crucial issue, and to urge lawmakers to move toward ignition interlock legislation, MADD Wisconsin has posted a petition in support of strengthening the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving across the state.