Bill would strengthen drunken driving laws
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Drunk Driving Bill
Some state lawmakers and law enforcement officials are pushing for tougher drunken driving laws.PROVIDENCE—Some Rhode Island lawmakers and law enforcement officials are pushing for tougher drunken driving laws.
Legislation has been introduced in Rhode Island that would allow an officer to request a search warrant to take a blood, breath or urine sample when there’s probable cause a suspect has been driving drunk, and if that person has refused a chemical test after an accident in which someone was killed or seriously hurt.
“More needs to be done in Rhode Island to strengthen laws that are used to establish, investigate and prosecute DUI-related offenses and keep offenders off the roads we all share,“ said Col. David Randall, of the Scituate Police Department.
Related Link: Text of House Bill 5039
The bill’s sponsor is Rep. Douglas Gablinske, D-Bristol/Warren, who lost his own father to a drunken driver 30 years ago.
“In the state of Rhode Island, we have not given law enforcement all the tools they need to prosecute drunk drivers, particularly when there is significant injury or death,“ Gablinske said.
The House and Senate versions of the bill are before their respective judiciary committees.
The Rhode Island chapter of the ACLU opposes the legislation because it objects to forcibly taking blood from someone who is presumed innocent.
The ACLU also claims there is no evidence that the practice helps law enforcement win convictions in drunken driving cases.
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Reader Reactions
Obviously we need change in the drunk driving law. Just look at the most recent case of David Hazard, being released, why so he can do it again. What does it take to put these people behind bars. I think Judge LaFazia’s decision of setting bail at $25,000 and releasing him was so wrong. I’m sure it would be so different if the tables were turned and the victim was someone related to the judge.
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