Research update 12/19/07

Recapping Articles from MADD

Virginia Panel OKs aggravated DUI law, interlocks
Hoping to rid West Virginia highways of killer drunken drivers, a legislative panel Monday agreed to create a new aggravated DUI law for motorists blowing as much as .15 in blood alcohol tests.
Mannix Porterfield, Register Herald, 12/10/07

A Starring Role for Drivers Who Drink
Arizona website StopDUIAZ.com shows convicted drunken drivers mug shots. Billboards in Phoenix to show "Drive drunk, see your mug shot here."
Jennifer Steinhauer, New York Times, 12/10/07

Thwarting drivers who drink gets jump-start
Breath analyzers preventing drunks from starting their cars could give false positives for smoking, eating chilies or having stomach gas.
Joe Delka, Omaha World-Herald, 12/3/07

Senator expects DUI outline this month
Months of poring over West Virginia's laws against drunken driving and examining the burgeoning field of technology to deal with one of the nation's leading social ills could lead to some definite ideas of combating impaired motorists.
Mannix Porterfield, Register-Herald, Beckley, WV, 12/02/07

Top state lawmaker accused of driving drunk in Gaithersburg
Maryland's House of Delegates' majority leader arrested for drinking and driving, according
Patricia M. Murrel, Maryland Gazette, 11/30/07

Manchin looking at interlocks, DUI law
An aggravated drunken driving crime that raises punishment in proportion to the blood alcohol content, and mandatory interlocks for first-time offenders are being examined
Mannix Porterfield, Register Herald, 11/26/07

Bills aimed at increased drunken-driving penalt
The penalty limits for serial drunken drivers has been considered "a problem" by prosecutors and police for several years
Mark Pitsch, Wisconsin State Journal, 11/25/07

DWI charge filed against Graham
A Columbia Democrat was arrested Oct. 20 after a minor accident near his home.
News Tribune, 11/23/07

Chronic DWI offender questions plea deals
Judge throws out 1991 Municipal Court conviction; other drunken-driving offenses stand against ten-time offender
Natalie Storey, Santa Fe New Mexican, 11/22/07

MADD praises NM state's effort to cut DWI
The report looks at the driving-while-intoxicated fatalities in each state and whether that state has sobriety checkpoints and ignition interlock laws. (Hawai'i ranks 48th)
Santa Fe New Mexican, 11/20/07

State eyes device to keep drunken drivers off road
The interlock device, similar to a breathalyzer, requires the driver to submit a breath sample before the vehicle can start, and prevents anyone from driving the vehicle if their blood-alcohol content is at a preset level
Bob Lowry, Huntsville Times, 11/16/007

Indiana school bus driver faces felony DWI charges
A former school bus driver will stand trial on felony drunken driving charges that could send her to prison for three years
Associated Press, Journal Gazette, 11/5/07

Solicitor, governor advocate tougher DUI law
Gowdy calls Hutto plan to hiremore troopers misguided. Gowdy has repeatedly said the law is so convoluted that it's easier to prosecute a death-penalty case than it is to try a DUI case in magistrate court.
Robert W. Dalton, Spartanburg Herald Journal, 11/1/07

Profits hurt DUI reform, SC governor charges
Gov. Mark Sanford and Solicitor Trey Gowdy of Spartanburg pushed for passage of a DUI bill Wednesday and accused some lawmakers of profiting from the current DUI law.
Tim smith, Greenville News, 11/1/07

Detroit Judge's ruling hampers DUI law
Prosecutors in his county could go back only 10 years to find prior impaired and drunken driving convictions to charge repeat offenders as felons, exposing them to stiffer penalties. Under Heidi's Law, prosecutors could go back indefinitely.
avid Ashenfelter, Detroit Free Press, 11/1/07

Life in prison possible for Missouri man convicted of DWI
A western Missouri man convicted of drunken driving could face life in prison under a law targeting repeat DWI offenders.
News Tribune, 10/25/07

Safe roads crusader arrested for DUI
A staunch South Dakota spokesman against drunken driving is arrested for driving under the influence.
Jon Walker, Argus Leader, 10/25/07