A national group that says it represents 80 Mississippi restaurants is urging Gov. Phil Bryant to veto a bill aimed at strengthening laws against drunken driving.
The American Beverage Institute, based in Washington, D.C., said Monday that if the bill becomes law, it would be expensive to enforce and create too much work for Mississippi probation officers.
House Bill 481 says when someone is convicted for a first-offense DUI, the person’s driver’s license could be suspended for 90 days, or a judge could order a 30-day license suspension and require the person to use an ignition interlock device for six months. The device prevents a vehicle from starting if the driver has alcohol on his or her breath.
The bill also says that a fourth offense DUI would automatically be a felony, carrying two to 10 years in prison. It wouldn’t matter how many years had passed between the previous convictions and the fourth one.
Under current law, a person can face a felony by having three or more DUI convictions within five years.
The American Beverage Institute’s managing director, Sarah Longwell, said in a news release that requiring ignition interlock devices for first-time offenders is a bad idea because it might be a too-harsh punishment for people who unintentionally have a bit too much to drink.
“Requiring interlocks for hardcore … offenders is a much more effective and financially sound way to fight drunk driving,” Longwell said.
Related articles
- Bryant Says He’ll Sign DUI Ignition Bill (wtok.com)
- DUI Bill Sent to Governor (wtok.com)
- Lawmaker wants DUI devices installed in vehicles after arrest (q13fox.com)
- Stricter DUI laws passes Senate (sclawyersnet.wordpress.com)
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