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SALT LAKE CITY -- A Utah state lawmaker wants to change the penalties for teenage drivers charged with driving under the influence. He says Utah is too hard on young drivers charged with DUI.
If a driver 18-years-old or younger is pulled over and has even one drop of alcohol in them, it's an automatic DUI. The penalty includes losing their driver license for 120 days or until they turn 21, whichever is longer. That means some teens could lose their license for up to five years.
A past investigation by KSL found teens pulled over for an improper left hand turn or a partially obstructed license plate lost their licenses because alcohol was detected.
In April of 2010, Craig Arnoldus was 19 years old. He told KSL, "This is the first offense I've ever had. I don't have anything on my driving record and yet, I'm done."
"I stayed the night where I drank and decided to drive when I was sober," he added.
Krystal Milliner, 17, said, "I never thought this would happen to me, and it did."
State Sen. Scott Jenkins is working to change the law. He proposes a teen under 19 on their first DUI get their license back after two years if they attend a substance abuse treatment program and complete probation.
During debate of the bill lawmakers were quick to point out underage drinking is illegal and they do not condone it. But those in favor of the bill want to give teens a second chance.
Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, said, "What concerns me is that it's like first strike, you're out."
SB 28 will go through one more reading in the Senate before heading to the House for a vote.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
