MADISON — A bill in the state Legislature would ban open intoxicants and drinking in all-terrain vehicles and utility task vehicles.

Senate Bill 262 would ban consumption of alcohol by the occupants of ATVs and UTVs on ATV/UTV trails or highways where ATVs and UTVs are permitted.

The bill has Republican and Democratic sponsors and cosponsors, none of whom are from Southwest Wisconsin. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

The state Department of Natural Resources reported that alcohol was involved in five of the eight deaths on UTVs and at least four of the 13 ATV deaths last year. Law enforcement issued 190 citations for intoxicated driving to ATV and UTV drivers last year, according to the DNR, which said alcohol was the top factor in fatal and non-fatal UTV crashes and fatal ATV crashes.

State law prohibits driving an ATV or UTV with a blood alcohol level of 0.08, similar to motor vehicles under state law. Unlike motor vehicles, however, convictions for drunk driving of ATVs or UTVs are not assessed against a driver’s license because ATVs and UTVs are considered recreational vehicles, similar to boats or snowmobiles, and not cars or trucks.

Supporters of the bill include Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards, the Wisconsin Professional Police Association and the Wisconsin Public Health Association.

A similar bill was introduced in 2018 but was not approved by the Legislature.

— The Wisconsin State Journal in Madison contributed to this story.