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Richard Piatt ReportingAmong the list of new Utah laws that take effect today, July first, is an effort to crack down on repeat DUI offenders. This new law is in response to constant pressure to do more about drunk driving, and the devastating damage those irresponsible drivers can have on people.
¶Even caught reeking of alcohol, staggering, and slurring, some people try to get out of a DUI arrest. The most common way is to refuse to take an alcohol level test. But it's becoming harder to do that, especially under a new law that takes effect today.
Law enforcement are four-square behind updates to the Alcohol Restricted Driver law, which is especially hard on repeat offenders.
Kim Gibb, Drivers License Bureau Chief: "The intent is to try and encourage people to not drive with alcohol in their system."
With a restricted license anyone caught with any alcohol in their system is in serious trouble, subject to having driving privileges revoked. For refusing to take a test offenders are subject to a five year restricted license--it was two years before. For a felony DUI or automobile homicide arrest, a lifetime restricted license is possible.
The stiffer penalties are welcome for families with loved ones killed by drunk drivers. Chris Oseguera was one of three 18-year olds who were in a jeep when it was hit at high speed by a repeat drunk driving offender.
Debra Hudson, Nephew Killed by Drunk Driver: “It would save another family from the horror that we live day by day and minute by minute.”
