California lawmakers are proposing bills to get dangerous drivers off the road

from Robert Lewis and Lauren HeplerCalMatters

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A bipartisan group of state Assembly members today announced a package of bills to address dangerous drivers and address some of the road safety issues uncovered by CalMatters as part of the ongoing License to kill series.

The proposals target laws and practices that have allowed dangerous drivers to remain on California’s roads and contributed to the spike in traffic deaths. The bills would: require first-time DUI offenders to install a breathalyzer in the car, extend many suspensions and license suspensions, increase DUI training for law enforcement, and close a loophole that allows people who have killed by driving to avoid consequences through a diversion program.

“Sacramento is listening. We see there’s a problem and we’re doing what we can, crossing that partisan divide and trying to identify real solutions that we can deliver now to make our communities safer,” said Democratic Assemblyman Nick Schultz of Burbank, chairman of the Assembly’s public safety committee.

The Assembly’s proposals are one component of a wider one reporting years of rising road traffic deaths playing at the capitol. A separate event next week is expected to include more details on the new bills from the California Senate, related budget proposals and the perspective of families who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers.

Last month, Schultz introduced bill to increase penalties for DUI repeat offenders. Assembly members outlined several additional legislative efforts at today’s news conference that would:

Close diversion hatch.

In December, we reported that a criminal justice reform law from several years ago allowed judges to dismiss vehicular manslaughter charges for drivers who agreed to participate in what’s known as diversion program. But in an unintended twist, it means the drivers have not only avoided a criminal conviction, but also kept a clean driving record.

Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, a Democrat from Suisson City who chairs the Assembly Transportation Committee, introduced new account it would require the DMV to add points to a driver’s license when they are granted a misdemeanor variance.

Make the suspension and license suspension begin when the driver is released from custody, not during the sentence.

Currently, someone convicted of vehicular manslaughter is likely to have their license revoked by law for three years. But the revocation often begins while they’re in prison, and they may be eligible to get their license back as soon as they get out.

Wilson said her office is finalizing the text of another bill that would change that.

“Driving is a privilege,” Wilson said. “This package holds dangerous drivers accountable and keeps our streets safer for everyone.”

Force first-time offenders to install what’s known as an ignition interlock device on their vehicles.

This is the third time Assemblywoman Coty Petrie-Norris, D-Irvine, has introduced the measure. California is currently one of the few states that doesn’t require first-time offenders to install the technology, which forces drivers to blow into a breathalyzer and prove they haven’t been drinking in order to start their car. her previous efforts failed after the Department of Motor Vehicles raised concerns about the budget and civil liberties groups worried it would disproportionately affect the poor and people of color.

“It’s California epicenter of America’s drunk driving epidemic. As moms, as dads, as Californians, it’s terrifying. And as politicians, we have an opportunity and an obligation to do something about it,” Petrie-Norris said. “We know these devices work. We know they can save lives.

Increase training of law enforcement officers on how to enforce state DUI laws.

Assemblyman Juan Alanis, R-Modesto, said many officers currently receive only basic training at the drunk and drugged driving academy and often have to wait for colleagues with more specialized training to assess a driver’s level of sobriety.

“This is to help those agencies and officers be able to get that training so that we can identify drugged drivers faster and faster and get them off the street,” Alanis said.

Schultz called the package of proposals a “starting point” and said he expects his colleagues in the state Senate to also propose changes to save lives on the road.

Indeed, last month state Sen. Bob Archuleta, D-Norwalk, introduced a bill to crack down on drug offenders – increasing penalties and making it easier for prosecutors to charge repeat offenders with murder.

Archuleta is expected to hold a news conference later this month along with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, road safety advocates and other lawmakers to announce additional road safety bills.

This article was originally published on CalMatters and is republished under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives license.