"We need your support-Unlicensed drivers laws gaining momentum & strength"

The following is reprinted in whole from Racine Uncovered, http://racineuncovered.org/?p=35691

We hear it time and time again, driving after suspension/revocation. I think the record I have heard on the scanner was the 10th time without a valid license. People continue to be hurt or killed by unlicensed drivers and families are destroyed. The fight to strengthen laws and hold those accountable started shortly after my sister was killed on January 1, 2005, my good friend retired Police Chief Rob Dams lost his son-Nick to an unlicensed driver just a few short months later.

Our families bonded, joined forces. Talk about a strange bunch, a highly decorated Police Chief and a girl from Racine. We fought, we swore, we cried, but we never gave up. The first laws were signed into effect in May 2006. We testified time again and again. We took some hits getting those initial laws passed, not as much jail time as we wanted. But we took what we could.

My good friend has now gotten Assembly Bill 80 (driving without a license laws) moving again. This time, stronger, stricter and will hold those who have no regard for the law ACCOUNTABLE. He has fought every day, countless hours, never giving up.

Next Tuesday, on May 24th, the bill will be testified by people like Rob Dams and others telling our stories once again. I find it getting harder and harder to speak without emotion about my sister Kristy being killed. Being hit by a car, her down coat exploding and feathers floating in the air, her body from head to toe, broken, crumple and devasted. She was thrown 50 feet down the street, fatally injured. Watching her being kept alive for 10 hours on life support, showing no hope of every coming back and watching my neice at that time 17 years old having to make the decision to take her off life support.

I have made peace, I cannot hate the person responsible for killing my sister that morning, he is going to live with that the rest of his life.  I discovered going through this that having so much hate and anger, can destroy a person. But I can try to make laws stronger for those who have a total disregard for human life and drive without a license to help those in the future.

I have copied the information that Rob has sent me along with the newest statics showing that driving after suspension/revocation in fact is growing in numbers. At the bottom of this is Rep. Krusicks email. I am asking everyone to copy and paste that information and send her an email showing support for this law.

ALL EMAILS WILL BE SHARED DURING THE COMMITTEE TESTIMONY.  I have also inserted the complete copy of the Bill in PDF version at the bottom.  These emails have to be sent BEFORE next Tuesday. Any words you can send I would greatly appreciate and so will Kristy, Nick (son of Rob) and all victims and families. Show your support!

Licenses revoked or suspended by Wisconsin Courts:

2008                      2009

419,716                 455,492

(An increase of 35,776)

Convictions by Wisconsin Courts:

                                2008                      2009

  OWL                   25,277                  30,458

   OAS                        56,143                  64,559 

    OAR                       26,050                  33,815 

     Total           107,470                 128,832

(An increase of 21,362)

WRITE OR CUT AND PASTE:

I am supporting Assembly bill AB80  Rep.Krusick@legis.wisconsin.gov

Then sign it with just your name and send it. 

Complete AB80 Bill

AB-80 2011

Thank you, Beth, for your concern for others that they may not have to live through what you and your family did. You know my stance on this. It is inane that people are allowed to get away with driving on a suspended or revoked license over and over, the same as with our drunk drivers. To lose a life because of something so preventable is a sin. These offenders cause massive property damge, maim others, and even kill. Please, let's stop them now.