Madison, WI— Representative John Spiros (R-Marshfield) released the following statement after Governor Evers signed two of his bills, Senate Bill (SB) 248 and Assembly Bill (AB) 856, into law.
“I am incredibly proud to have SB 248 and AB 856 enacted into law,” said Representative Spiros. “The new laws will save lives, prevent operating while intoxicated (OWI) repeat offenses, and toughen accountability for impaired drivers.”
“Every year in Wisconsin, hundreds of families lose loved ones to drunk driving crashes – tragedies that are entirely preventable,” Representative Spiros continued. “IIDs are one of the most effective counter measure tools to prevent impaired driving accidents and deaths. IIDs significantly reduce repeat impaired driving, cutting recidivism by roughly 65–70% while installed.”
“The best time to end impaired driving was twenty years ago. If we had, Kaytlyn may still be here. Raising a family and living the good life. The second-best time is today,” said Ronald Thomas (Town of Bergen), father of Kaytlyn Madison Thomas. “Thank you to Representative Spiros, Governor Evers, and all of Wisconsin for making the state a safer place. As Kaytlyn last said to me the morning of July 12, 2021, dad, we do good together.”
SB 248 strengthens OWI laws by creating a compliance-based removal system for interlock ignition devices (IIDs) which is a proven national best practice recommended by NHTSA and AAMVA and used in over 30 states. The law also creates strict penalties for individuals who attempt to drive while intoxicated, tamper with, or bypass these devices. In addition, it eliminates the waiting period for an individual to apply for an occupational license but an IID must be installed first. The proposal is supported by a wide coalition of safety and advocacy organizations.
“Chairman Spiros and Chairman Wanggaard have been leaders in the Legislature to strengthen OWI laws,” said MADD Director of State Government Affairs Frank Harris. “SB 248 builds off of other efforts and is the most impactful impaired driving reform bill enacted since 2009 in Wisconsin. This bipartisan effort to strengthen the ignition interlock law will help prevent repeat offenses, protect families and communities across the state, and ultimately save lives.”
AB 856 repeals unconstitutional OWI provisions within the current statutes. The bill brings Wisconsin’s OWI statutes into constitutional compliance by repealing and updating provisions that had been struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court and Wisconsin Supreme Court, including implied consent and incapacitated-driver provisions.
“AB 856 will strengthen OWI prosecutions and prevent cases from being dismissed or jeopardized and not allow violators to get off free because our laws need to be updated,” commented Spiros.
