Press Room

Morse- Levy Bill Kicks Drunk Driving to the Curb

Wednesday, June 30 2010

New Legislation will Increase Penalties for Repeat Offenders

DENVER— As summer temperatures continue to rise the Colorado Department of Transportation will be turning up the heat on drunk drivers.  Law enforcement is increasing patrol and setting up additional DUI checkpoints throughout the summer.  In the initial weekend of increased patrols more than 700 people were arrested for drinking and driving, with more than 23 individuals arrested in Colorado Springs on the very first night alone. However, thanks to new legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) these offenders will face much stricter consequences.

 House Bill 1347 which takes effect on the first of the upcoming month requires mandatory jail time for second time offenders and will significantly increase jail time for multiple offenders. 

“As a former police officer and paramedic, I have seen firsthand the terrible consequences of drinking and driving,” said Senator Morse.   “This bill strikes an important balance between the certainty of punishment if you drive drunk and necessity of treatment for chronic alcohol abusers.”

This bill reflects much of the thinking of the Colorado Criminal and Juvenile Justice Reform Commission, which took up the issue over the summer and fall, exploring how best to maximize public safety. The Colorado Department of Transportation has repeatedly recommended increasing DUI penalties, with a focus on repeat offenders, as a means to decrease impaired driving rates. In 2008 there were more than 500 traffic fatalities in Colorado with almost 40% being alcohol related.

“Too often, repeat offenders get away with a slap on the wrist from some judges. There’s simply not enough consistency in penalties for chronic drunk driving,” said Rep. Levy. “This is unacceptable to me, and it’s unacceptable to the public.”