Those caught driving drunk seven or more times face tougher penalties in Wisconsin beginning this month.

Under the new law, those convicted of seventh, eighth and ninth drunken driving felonies can be sentenced to up to five years in prison and five years extended supervision, up from three years each of prison and extended supervision.

Those convicted driving drunk ten or more times now face a maximum of seven and a half years in prison and five years of extended supervision, up from three years each of prison and extended supervision.

Portage Police Chief Kenneth Manthey says drunken drivers are "time bombs on wheels," so the increased penalties will protect the public by keeping drunken drivers in prison longer.