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Lawmakers kill measure imposing stiffer drunken-driving penalty
The Associated Press
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: News
DENVER - The House Judiciary Committee killed a measure on Wednesday that would have extended the driver's license revocation for first-time drunken-driving violators to five years and required them to use a locking device.
The measure (House Bill 1189) failed after lawmakers questioned the cost.
Under current law, a first-time conviction for drunken driving results in a one-year suspension.
Rep. Joel Judd, D-Denver, said he introduced the measure after a driver ran down a family of four in Denver, killing a mother and her two children who were in the stroller.
Investigators said the driver began drinking six to eight hours before the accident while patronizing bars and strip clubs and was still over the legal limit for driving five hours after the accident.
Judd said many drunk drivers are repeat offenders. His bill would have increased the penalty to 20 years for a second offense.
"It's bad for someone to be out driving drunk. It's worse, I suppose in a way to get caught, charged and convicted of driving drunk, but it's a whole lot worse to have it happen a second time," Judd told the committee.
Lawmakers questioned whether the cost of increased enforcement would be covered by increased offender fees or whether taxpayers would pick up the cost.
"I have to say that I am opposed to the hardworking people of Colorado, the taxpayers paying for a convicted DUI driver for the privilege, the privilege - it is not a right - to be able to drive," said Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction.
The measure (House Bill 1189) failed after lawmakers questioned the cost.
Under current law, a first-time conviction for drunken driving results in a one-year suspension.
Rep. Joel Judd, D-Denver, said he introduced the measure after a driver ran down a family of four in Denver, killing a mother and her two children who were in the stroller.
Investigators said the driver began drinking six to eight hours before the accident while patronizing bars and strip clubs and was still over the legal limit for driving five hours after the accident.
Judd said many drunk drivers are repeat offenders. His bill would have increased the penalty to 20 years for a second offense.
"It's bad for someone to be out driving drunk. It's worse, I suppose in a way to get caught, charged and convicted of driving drunk, but it's a whole lot worse to have it happen a second time," Judd told the committee.
Lawmakers questioned whether the cost of increased enforcement would be covered by increased offender fees or whether taxpayers would pick up the cost.
"I have to say that I am opposed to the hardworking people of Colorado, the taxpayers paying for a convicted DUI driver for the privilege, the privilege - it is not a right - to be able to drive," said Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction.
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