Close loopholes in ignition interlock law

Wisconsin continues to have some of the most lax drunk driving laws in the nation. It is probably no coincidence that Wisconsin also has the highest rate of drunk driving in the nation. Lawmakers in Madison have repeatedly failed to get tough on drunk drivers. But one lawmaker wants to change that. Rep. Andre Jacque of De Pere wants to toughen the laws requiring certain drunk drivers to have an ignition interlock device installed on their car. Wisconsin law requires certain drunk drivers, those who are repeat offenders or who have a blood alcohol level above 0.15 are required to have the device installed which prevents them from starting their car if they have been drinking. But it seems there are plenty of loopholes. It seems many of those who are ordered by the court to have the devices installed aren’t doing so, because failing to do so carries no criminal penalty. A violation is the equivalent of a traffic ticket. Others are circumventing court orders by driving someone else’s car, or even switching the title to a family member or friend. Jacque’s legislation would strengthen penalties by tying the interlock system to a person’s driver’s license instead of their car title, and by significantly increasing fines for ignoring the court order. This is a small step Wisconsin lawmakers can take to keep us safe on the roads.