Wisconsin state lawmakers proposed a bill that requires repeat DUI offenders to have interlock ignition devices installed on their vehicles. 82% of Wisconsin residents are in favor of the interlock mandate according to a survey.
Lawmakers in Wisconsin introduced a bill that aims to deter DUI offenses in the state. Rep. Dave Heaton and other senate legislators put forward the Assembly Bill 266 and Senate Bill 222. Under the bill, DUI drivers are mandated to install interlock ignition devices on their cars. They will be issued an ignition interlock restricted license which allows them to drive vehicles with interlock devices installed. The bill would prevent DUI drivers from driving with a suspended or revoked license rampant in Wisconsin.
The bill addresses a major loophole in the existing law by barring DUI offenders from driving vehicles without interlock ignition devices installed. A fine higher than the current one will be issued to DUI drivers who violate the requirement.
Victoria Hanson, regional president of AAA Wisconsin, wants the bill to be passed in order to make Wisconsin's roads safer for the public. She said in a report by Wisconsin State Journal that AAA Wisconsin wants both the public and lawmakers to focus on strengthening the state's ignition interlock program for DUI. A survey conducted by AAA showed that 82% of the people in Wisconsin agree to the interlock requirement for DUI offenders.
Hanson added that DUI is the cause of one-third of traffic fatalities in Wisconsin. The state is known for its laidback approach in handling DUI-related incidents. In Wisconsin, drivers who commit a DUI offense for the first time will only be issued a citation and will not be criminally charged.
According to Hanson, studies revealed that ignition interlock devices play a significant role in reducing DUI repeat offenses by 75%. However, laws requiring interlocks have loopholes that need to be closed. An ignition interlock prohibits an individual from driving a vehicle once it detects alcohol on the person's breath. Yorkville Police Chief Rick Hart said, ""A lot of times the issues with those devices is if you have a passenger in the car they can always blow into it if they haven't been drinking."
Lawyer Herald previously reported that the state of Mississippi is also considering another bill aimed at DUI offenders. Representative Gary Chism proposed a new law that will issue scarlet letter license plates to repeat DUI offenders. Chism said that the law, known as the Scarlet Letter Tag Bill, will help prevent DUI incidents by publicly shaming multiple-time offenders.
The proposed law received some support and also some backlash from civil rights groups. It is being drafted and checked for loopholes at present.
