New law increases penalties for repeat drunken drivers

March 24, 2008

On March 18 Governor Jim Doyle signed Wisconsin Act 111 into law, which increases the maximum penalties for drivers convicted of a seventh or subsequent offense for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Wisconsin Act 111 takes effect on April 2.

Under the old law, all fifth and subsequent convictions for operating while intoxicated (OWI) carried a maximum punishment of a $10,000 fine and three years imprisonment followed by three years of extended supervision.

Under the new law, a conviction for a seventh, eighth or ninth offense OWI will have a maximum punishment of a $25,000 fine and five years imprisonment followed by five years of extended supervision. A person convicted 10 or more times for OWI will face a maximum penalty of a $25,000 fine and 7-1/2 years imprisonment followed by five years of extended supervision.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 184 Wisconsin drivers were convicted in 2007 of a seventh, eighth or ninth OWI offense, and 12 drivers were convicted of a 10th or subsequent OWI offense.

The new law also increases the surcharge for all OWI convictions from $355 to $365. The county where the conviction occurred will receive $219 of the surcharge. The state will get $146 with $14 of the state's share going to the Safe Ride Program, sponsored by the Tavern League of Wisconsin to provide transportation home for bar and restaurant patrons.

For more information, contact:
Dennis Hughes, Bureau of Transportation Safety
(608) 267-9075, dennis.hughes@dot.state.wi.us