Driving Accidents Preventable with Safe Ride Program
Wisconsin OWI laws, punishment, and prevention has had a lot of discussion lately, prompting a reason to continue the conversation with more information and resources. Back in 2003 Wisconsin became the 43rd state to lower the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) to a level of 0.08%. This means that if you’re driving intoxicated, with a blood level above .08%, you are placing yourself and other drivers at risk AND you can expect to be arrested in Wisconsin. If you’re under 21 years of age, or driving a commercial vehicle, the chargeable BAC levels are even lower. Driving while intoxicated is referenced as DWI or DUI in other states. In Wisconsin, it’s referred to as OWI. (Operating While Intoxicated.) Are you legally drunk?
Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated places innocent people who share the same roadways, in a potentially deadly path. Alcohol-impairment is a factor in nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities. In 2014, 9,967 people were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, representing 31% of all fatalities. Of all those killed, 69% (6,852) were in crashes in which at least one driver had a BAC of .15 g/dL or higher. A drunken driving offense, or “OWI” is a very serious charge yet many feel that the laws are still not strict enough to prevent offenders from repeating the crime. (ghsa.org)
How the law defines intoxication:
- Operating a motor vehicle with blood alcohol level of 0.08% or greater.
- Driving with any blood detected influence of any intoxicant including: Alcohol, prescription medications, illegal or controlled drugs, or other chemical substances.
- Driving while under the influence of a controlled substance or drug.
Don’t drink and drive Milwaukee, Safe Ride!
The Safe Ride program, a safe transportation alternative to drunk driving, started in 1985 by the Tavern League of Wisconsin. Today, well over 1,600 Tavern League members participate, covering the majority of Wisconsin. To help fund the program, Wisconsin implemented a surcharge in 1999 which would come from every DWI conviction. The “Safe Ride” transportation gives some 85,000 free rides home each year, taking dangerous drivers off the road. With this program, there’s no reason for anyone to get behind the wheel drunk.
Law firm gets justice for victims of drunk driver accidents.
Action Law Offices aggressively pursues maximum compensation against at-fault drunk drivers. If the at-fault driver is a minor, we seek dram shop liability damages against a restaurant, hotel or bar for serving the driver when he or she was visibly impaired. #Injured? Take Action! Obtain justice for Drunk Driver Accidents.