A while back, state leaders decided Wisconsin needed a new state slogan. It seems the title of The Dairy State"" had been usurped by California (damn your happy cows) and probably was not that great for tourism in the first place. One suggestion was ""Come for the cheese and brats, stay for the world class UW heart clinic."" The final conclusion was: ""Wisconsin: Life's so good."" I have a better suggestion, one that Wisconsinites have been embracing for years: ""Wisconsin: Welcome drunk drivers!""
Wisconsin can now officially claim that it has the worst drunken driving rates in the United States.
A recent study by the Department of Health and Human Services discovered that more than a quarter of drivers in Wisconsin reported driving drunk in the past year. That is thousands of incapacitated drivers passing you on the roadway every year. This is a horrific national record to hold. The state of Wisconsin and its residents need to reverse this frightening and perilous trend.
One particularly disturbing aspect of this study was the fact that since people admitted to driving drunk, they must have also known they were drunk when they got behind the wheel. Despite the numerous alcohol and police commercials reminding drivers to drink responsibly, the message obviously has not been received by many drinkers.
Although fellow drinkers have some responsibility to prevent drunken driving, these people cannot solve this state crisis. It is time for the state to step up and create stricter restrictions and penalties for drunken driving.
People in Wisconsin can be convicted of seven drunken driving offenses and still be out on the streets. Of course, they will be hit with a heavy fine and possible license revocation, but jail time is not a requirement.
License or not, a convicted drunken driver could possibly be behind the wheel again moments after leaving the police station. Drunken drivers often only get jail time if their unsavory activities end in damage, injury or death. The public should not have to wait for property or a fellow human being to be harmed before a threat to its safety is put away.
It should be noted that everyone makes mistakes. However, endangering every other individual on the road is completely different than forgetting to pay for a pack of gum.
The current law in Wisconsin states that a first time drunken driving conviction results in a fine under $350 and no jail time. This is unacceptable. A steeper punishment is needed to discourage others from driving drunk and a first time offender from considering such a bone-headed move ever again. Jail time of at least seven days should be required for first-time offenders. This not only keeps them off the road but also sends a message about how criminals like them are treated.
A second offense should require at least six months in jail, a punishment currently reserved for repeat offenders of five times or more. In addition, fines should be raised exponentially. Drunken driving should be utterly unappealing as well as extremely cumbersome.
Alcohol is involved in more than a third of all fatal traffic crashes. In 2006 alone, 722 people died as a direct result of drunken driving in Wisconsin. Chances are many readers know someone who has been taken at the hands of an intoxicated driver.
It is high time Wisconsin quits sweeping this problem under the highway. Harsher rules and penalties need to be created and enforced so Wisconsin can become a safer and healthier state.
Emily Houtler is a sophomore majoring in environmental science and math. We welcome your feedback. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
