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http://www.suntimes.com/output....htmlWelcome to Wisconsin -- unless you're an Illinois driver May 3, 2004BY MARY LANEY Take this as fair warning: If you're planning on driving north to Wisconsin on Interstate 94 and your car bears Illinois plates -- or any plate other than Wisconsin -- be prepared to be pulled over, fined and, even if you have a clean driving record and legitimate driver's license, have your car towed and be taken into custody. It happened to me.I was on I-94 on Saturday, driving to a baby shower in Wisconsin, when I saw two Racine County sheriff's cars parked near an on ramp to the highway. I was in the flow of traffic, so I didn't worry. Then the cars in front of me put on their brakes, so I applied mine. Shortly after that, I saw the lights behind me -- you know, the bright flashing lights atop a sheriff's patrol car. I pulled over so the patrol could pass me, but the officer signaled for me to pull over.I watched as the officer put on his aviator sunglasses and walked to the passenger side of my car. I rolled down the window, and he leaned in.''The speed limit is 65, and you were traveling at--'' Ahem, rather than tell you what my speed was, let me just admit it. I was over the limit. But so, too, were the cars right in front of me.The officer -- Racine County Deputy Sheriff Weidner -- asked me for my driver's license and asked if I had a card for bond. I gave him my driver's license and Triple A card. That's when I got the first clue that I want to warn all you non-Wisconsin drivers about. Weidner informed me that, since I wasn't a Wisconsin resident, he couldn't take a bond card, only a credit card or cash. And the worst was yet to come.After 15 minutes back in his patrol car, Weidner returned to tell me, ''I've run a check on your name, and it comes back that you have a valid Illinois driver's license but your license is suspended in Wisconsin.''''What?'' I asked. ''I don't have a Wisconsin driver's license.''Like the playback of a tape recorder, he repeated that he ran a check. Then he added, ''I can't allow you to operate this vehicle on a suspended license. Do you have someone who can come get you?''I was in shock and trying to think of just whom to call when Weidner added another zinger. ''I've called for a tow truck to come for your car. I have to ask you to give me your purse. I have to check it for weapons.''I gave him my purse, and then he asked me to step out of my car.''I'm going to have to frisk you now.'' I told him I thought men weren't supposed to frisk women, and he replied, ''I can handcuff you. According to regulations, I must frisk everyone before allowing them into my car. It's for my safety.'' So, as cars slowed down to watch, I submitted to the frisk and the humiliation.Inside the sheriff's car, I heard the two-way radio describing other cars to be stopped; all were non-Wisconsin.When we arrived at the Racine County sheriff's station, I asked Weidner if he'd check again to see if there were a mistake on my name. He told me I could call the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, but added with a smirk, ''They're closed today.''I gave the deputy my credit card, called my son for help, and soon two of his friends arrived to drive me away -- one driving my car, the other driving his.On Monday, I called the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles in Madison. A woman there ran a check and came back on the phone saying, ''Your status shows valid, no suspension. I don't know where the Racine County sheriffs came up with a suspension for you.''I called Weidner with the information. He told me all my paperwork had been sent to the Racine County district attorney and I should call there. A man in the office told me to get a written report from the DMV and bring it to court and they would give me a credit for the $190.05 I had been fined.And what about the two hours I was held hostage? And the frisking? And the humiliation? I'll find out when I go to court.Meanwhile, if you're headed north to Wisconsin with out-of-state plates, and your route takes you through Racine County, call the Wisconsin DMV before you go, get a printout that your record is clean and have it in your car. Otherwise, be prepared for highway robbery.Here's a follow-up article: http://www.suntimes.com/output....htmlAnd a column from a WI newspaper: http://www.journaltimes.com/ar...4.txt

Wisconsin cops will try to get you for anything. I94 is the worst interstate to speed in Wisconsin, especially near the Wisconsin/Illinois border. Any other state you travel in (or maybe just me), it's rare that I see a squad car checking speed. Only in Wisconsin will you see a cop car every 50 miles or so on the interstate.

Ozaukee County, Wisconsin is also notorious for stopping out-of-state drivers. Of course, cops choose out-of-state cars, because they don't expect most them to return for a court date.http://www.beartraps.com may help you plan your next trip. It has info for US interstate highways.