Germany gets tough on drunk driving, why can’t Wisconsin?

Wisconsin lawmakers have now approved a state budget. It is filled with a number of items, but once again, lawmakers have failed to do anything about Wisconsin’s drunk driving laws. Wisconsin’s OWI laws remain the most lenient of any state in the country. First offense drunk driving isn’t even considered a crime. Many cite the state’s drinking heritage in failing to take action. But consider another location which also has a long-established drinking heritage. Here, everyone found guilty of drunk driving faces a fine or prison sentence. The second offense leads to a lengthy prison sentence. Here, the level of intoxication is just .05, much lower than our level of .08. Those who are caught immediately lose their license. Their car is sold, and the proceeds put in a fund for victims. Once charged, a drunk driver loses their license for six months. This is mandatory. Those with a blood alcohol level of .11 have to prove they have been sober for 12 months before they can get their license back. We’re talking about the country of Germany, where despite their long drinking heritage, lawmakers don’t tolerate drunk driving. Wisconsin lawmakers may not have the political will to get as tough on drunk driving as they do in Germany, but they can’t continue to cite our drinking culture as an excuse for not cracking down on those who get behind the wheel after throwing back a few.