Getting Tough on Drunken Driving Will Be Costly for Wisconsin

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Updated: 4:44 PM Jan 9, 2009 Getting Tough on Drunken Driving Will Be Costly for Wisconsin Making first offense drunken driving a crime in Wisconsin will cost at least another $8.3 million a year. Posted: 5:49 PM Jan 8, 2009 Reporter: Associated Press

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Making first offense drunken driving a crime in Wisconsin will cost at least another $8.3 million a year.

That's according to a fiscal estimate prepared for a state lawmaker interested in strengthening the state's drunken driving laws. The Associated Press obtained the memo Thursday.

With the state's budget projected to be $5.4 billion in the red by mid-2011, any proposal that comes with a multimillion dollar price will have a tough time passing.

And, the powerful Tavern League lobby opposes tougher penalties for first offenses.

Another proposal being discussed would make third and fourth offense drunken driving a felony. Another legislative fiscal bureau memo shows that would cost more than $100 million a year, mostly because more people would be imprisoned.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 9, 2009 at 08:58 PM

Well if the state is to worried that it would cost to much then they should pay all the cost for anyone that needs to be buried due to a drunk driver along with paying what most life ins. pay for deaths. See if that would be cheaper!!!!!!! Wisconsin as a state when it comes to that sucks!!!!!!!! ITs all BS

Posted by: Clint Location: WI on Jan 9, 2009 at 02:36 AM

Maybe all bar owners should have a breathalyzer and require everyone to pass the breathalyzer test before they leave the bar. It would keep drunks off the road and it would save the state millions of dollars.

Posted by: Julie Location: wisconsin on Jan 8, 2009 at 08:22 PM

Drunk driving causes deaths which should be punished by a felony conviction & a long prison term. Compare the cost of prison to the cost to a family and society for the lose of the life of a person who is a productive-working citizen. I would pick the latter.

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