They're calling it five strikes and you're out, drunk drivers lose their license after a fifth OWI offense. But the bills co-author and local police know that much more has to be done before truly changing drunken driving attitudes here in Wisconsin.
It's no secret that drinking and driving here in Wisconsin is a continuing problem.
"Last night one of our officers arrested an individual that was arrested for his 12th offense of drunk driving," says Captain Kevin Warych of the Green Bay Police Department.
"It's a shame that Wisconsin is known as having the highest level of OWI's in the nation," adds Representative Andre Jacque of the 2nd Assembly District.
A bill though, that Representative Jacque co-authored would increase the penalty for being a repeat offender.
"This bill isn't going to solve the entire problem… It is a deterrent to say that after five OWI's, or three OWI's and two other traffic felonies, that you're going to lose your license permanently," adds Rep. Jacque.
And for those in law enforcement who admit, all too often they see the same faces time and time again.
"Sadly they must have not understood or learned a lesson from what they went through previously," says Capt. Warych.
They still can't say the proposed bill would help combat repeat offenses. But they do hope proposals like this; send the right message to all of those getting behind the wheel drunk.
Other states like New York, Illinois and Florida have passed similar bills to the five strikes and you're out being proposed here in Wisconsin. Representative Jacque says there they have proven the system can make a difference.
