MILWAUKEE — State Sen. Chris Larson, D-Wis., is once again pushing for stricter penalties for first-offense drunken drivers.

What You Need To Know

  • Sen. Larson is re-introducing legislation to tighten drunken driving laws

  • Bill would require ignition interlock devices to be installed for first-time offenders

  • Larson has previously introduced similar legislation but they did not pass 

During a press conference Thursday, Larson announced he is once again introducing legislation that would require first-time drunken driving offenders to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicles.

Currently, the state requires the devices for those who have been convicted of a second drunken driving offense, or who’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was more than double the legal limit during their first offense.

Ignition interlock devices are installed into a person’s car. They require the driver to blow into a tube which measures their BAC before allowing the vehicle to start.

Larson said since Wisconsin already requires the devices for many, he believes the evidence is clear that it is effective.

“We know it stopped 411,000 rides over the period of 16 years,” Larson said. “So when people are impaired, they are not in a good decision-making place. This will make sure that [a] vehicle will not start with them behind the wheel.”

Larson said he believes requiring first-time offenders to have ignition interlock devices would reduce repeat offenses, both due to vehicle not physically starting if someone is impaired and the social implications of having such a device.

“If you are on a date, you would have to explain it [why you have an ignition interlock device] for a year after. If you are running the carpool, you would have to explain it to your kid's friends about why you need to blow into a tube to start the minivan,” said Larson.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), installation of ignition interlock devices reduces repeat drunken driving by nearly 70%.

The ignition interlock legislation could face an uphill battle to get passed. This is the seventh time that Larson has introduced a similar bill, all of which failed to pass.

Erin Payton with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, who supports Larson’s legislation, said the inability to get the law passed is something she struggles to understand.

“I am surprised it hasn’t gone through,” said Payton. “It is such a common sense idea that if you get an OWI you should have implications for it more than just a fine and a few other things.” 

Spectrum News 1 reached out the the Tavern League of Wisconsin to see if they would support Larson’s legislation. The Tavern League is an organization that lobbies on behalf of bars and taverns around the state. In 2019, it opposed a similar bill when it was proposed. Spectrum News 1 has not yet heard back.

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