In the past several years, a handful of Wisconsin counties became the first nationwide to test repeat drunken drivers for molecular evidence of heavy drinking in nail or blood samples. Researchers say their initial data show that biomarker testing during treatment may help these offenders stay sober longer, keep them from getting rearrested, save counties money — and make roads safer.
Category: Under the Influence
Despite arrests, fines, convictions and prison time, many Wisconsin drivers continue to drink and drive. A collaboration with the Gannett Wisconsin Media Investigative Team that documents the state’s pervasive problem of repeat drunken driving.
Posted inHealth & Welfare, Justice & Safety, Under the Influence
Are victim impact panels effective?
Some drunken drivers are required to attend panels where they hear from victims of drunken driving and their families. But the panels often fail to keep offenders from driving drunk again, and may even increase the chances they will.
Posted inHealth & Welfare, Justice & Safety, Under the Influence
Treatment eludes many drunken driving offenders
“This time, I’m confident, I’m willing, I’m able and I want the sobriety,” says Andrew MacGillis, currently in Fox Lake Correctional Institution on his seventh drunken driving offense. But treatment may prove elusive for MacGillis, who says he has not been offered rehabilitation programs at Fox Lake. Others face a delay or are found noncompliant with court-ordered interviews that qualify them for treatment.
Posted inGovernment, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety, Under the Influence
In Wisconsin statehouse, laws on drunken driving seen as tough enough
How did Republican backing in a GOP-controlled state, overwhelming public support and virtually no opposition add up to the legislative defeat of a package of drunken driving bills aiming to increase penalties?
Posted inGovernment, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety, Under the Influence
Drunken driving bills found diverse ways to die
More than a dozen bills aimed at addressing drunken driving in Wisconsin were introduced in the 2013-14 legislative session. Almost all failed to pass.
Posted inGovernment, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety, Under the Influence
State stung by task force resignations
In their resignation letter, the four accused the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Statewide Impaired Driving Task Force of focusing “on interventions that have little impact or are not proven to be effective.” They cited various slights that led them to conclude the state was uninterested in their input.