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Bill targets drunken driving with kids in tow
Delegate Robert Bell (RCharlottesville) has amended a Senate bill to add a mandatory five-day jail sentence for any person convicted of driving under the influence with children in the vehicle.
The bill proposed by Sen. William C. Mims (R-eastem Loudoun) seeks to curb drunken driving.
“I am pleased by this addition,” Mims said. “Children are the victims in these cases. We need to send a message to parents that society will not tolerate reckless endangerment of children.”
In addition to the new provision, the bill will also:
•Establish a minimum $250 fine for a first-time DUI conviction.
•Increase the minimum fine for a second DUI conviction to $500.
•Establish a $1,000 minimum fine for a third DUI conviction.
More than 12,000 children under the age of 14 died in alcohol-related traffic accidents between 1994 and 2000, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In 64 percent of those deaths, the child was riding with a drunken driver.
“While traffic deaths have fallen in recent years, the number of children killed in drunk-driving accidents actually has increased. More is needed to persuade drivers that drinking and driving do not mix,” Mims said. “I hope that these increased fines and mandatory jail time will be effective deterrents, in concert with other penalties.”
This bill is part of Governor Mark R Warner’s safe highways agenda. It has the support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Washington Region Alcohol Program.
“We have worked for this type of legislation for years. We are grateful to Senator Mims for his efforts and leadership on this issue,” said David Kelly, public policy liaison for MADD.
• Republicans call for tighter rules on driver’s licenses.
As citizens scurry to buy duct tape and make other preparations for a terrorist attack, Republicans are taking it upon themselves to address a security issue they say Governor Mark Warner has neglected.
Sen. Jay O’Brien (RFairfax) and Del. David B. Albo (R-Springfield) are sponsoring legislation to tighten restrictions for obtaining a driver’s license.
Republicans say Virginia’s rules for getting a license are too lax, and they blame Warner.
“I am baffled the governor has decided not to offer any leadership to change the standards to receive a driver’s license. Instead, he would rather abdicate to the National Governors Association. Virginians elected Mark Warner to be governor — not the National Governors Association,” said Gary R. Thomson, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.
A spokesman for Warner told The Washington Times that the governor believes Virginia should wait until the National Governors Associ
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