The Wisconsin State Capitol dome in Madison. PC: Fox 11 Online
MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — Two northeast Wisconsin lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are working on a bill to help stop reckless driving.
Assembly Bill 29 was first introduced two years ago. It would give local police the authority to impound a vehicle for up to 90 days. Republican State Senator Andre Jacque of De Pere introduced the bill. He says current penalties for reckless driving aren’t enough.
“People either just pay the fines, or don’t pay the fines, but that hasn’t been enough to deter the behavior,” said Jacque.
Police officers are not obligated to impound the vehicle of the reckless driver, but this bill gives them the option to do so.
Democratic Representative Ryan Spaude, who represents assembly district 89, is a co-sponsor of the bill. He says there are four components of reckless driving that could get a vehicle impounded.
“Going 25 miles per hour or more over the speed limit, fleeing from a law enforcement officer, racing, or driving without a license or while suspended,” said Spaude.
Under the bill, the local government would contract for where the vehicles would be stored, and the offender would be responsible for paying the fines for towing the vehicle and storing it.
The bill still needs to get to a floor vote in both the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Wisconsin State Senate. If it passes those chambers, it will go to Governor Tony Evers desk for final approval.
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