New Bill Would Mandate Ignition Interlock Device for First Offense OWI in Wisconsin

Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 -- 11:01 AM

(Ryan Brahm, WOMT/WRN) State Senator Andre Jacque is proposing a new penalty for first offense OWI.

His bill, which has co-sponsorship from Representatives David Murphy and Ron Tusler, would require the installation of an ignition interlock device after just the first drunk driving offense.

Jacque noted that Wisconsin is always the highest rated state in the union when it comes to drunk driving offenses. In fact, in 2021 the DOT reported 6,368 alcohol-related crashes in Wisconsin that killed 166 people.

In a written statement, Jacque said, “The goal of this bill, which is strongly supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), is to reduce repeat drunk driving offenses by allowing people to go back to work and get their lives back on track with the security of knowing that an ignition interlock device is allowing them to do so safely.”

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