| Wisconsin has more fatal accidents due to driving | | | | A first Wisconsin OWI carries a fine from $150 to |
| under the influence than any other State in the Union. In | | | | $300, and a driver's license suspension from six to nine |
| 2006, the latest year for which statistics are available, | | | | months; however, an occupational license is possible. |
| 49% of the total number of traffic fatalities were due | | | | It's required that you obtain both SR22 insurance and |
| to a DUI accident. Accordingly, you might expect that | | | | an alcohol assessment. |
| the legislature in Wisconsin would write stronger DUI | | | | A second offense includes jail time; the sentence |
| laws. However, the penalties for DUI in Wisconsin are | | | | ranges from five days to six months. Fines range from |
| quite lenient for first, second, and third DUI offenses | | | | $300 to $1,100, and a license suspension ranges from |
| when compared to other States. It's not until the fourth | | | | 12 to 18 months. Although an occupational license is |
| and subsequent offenses, when a blood alcohol | | | | available after 60 days, or after 12 months if the two |
| content (BAC) of.02 takes effect, that Wisconsin's DUI | | | | offenses occurred with a five-year period, SR22 |
| laws become more stringent. | | | | insurance is required. Your vehicle may be immobilized, |
| In Wisconsin, DUI (driving under the influence) is known | | | | or an ignition interlock device (IID) will be required. You |
| as OWI (operating while impaired or intoxicated). | | | | will also be required to undergo an alcohol assessment. |
| Intoxication refers not only to alcohol, but also to a | | | | For a third offense of OWI / DUI in Wisconsin, you can |
| controlled substance, a combination of intoxicating | | | | be sentenced to jail from 30 days to one year, be |
| substances, or any drug that makes a person unsafe. | | | | fined from $600 to $2,000, and your license will be |
| And it's not necessary for a person to be driving to be | | | | suspended from two to three years. However, you |
| stopped for OWI. The definition of operation in the | | | | may receive an occupational license after 90 days, or |
| Wisconsin statutes is "the physical manipulation or | | | | after 12 months if you had two offenses within a |
| activation of any of the controls of a motor vehicle | | | | five-year period, and SR22 insurance is required. |
| necessary to put it in motion." | | | | Additionally, the judge may order an IID, the |
| Two or more Wisconsin OWI violations will | | | | immobilization of your vehicle, or the seizure of your |
| permanently stay on a person's driving record. But a | | | | vehicle. If seizure occurs, the title to the vehicle must |
| second violation that occurs more than 10 years after | | | | be surrendered to the Clerk of Courts, who will stamp |
| the first will still be considered a first offense. However, | | | | it saying that the vehicle cannot be transferred to |
| once a person receives their third offense, the two | | | | another party without prior court approval. Failure to do |
| priors will count, even if they occurred more than 10 | | | | so could result in a $500 fine. You will also be required |
| years apart. | | | | to complete an alcohol assessment. |