California Lawmakers Unveil Bipartisan Plan to Toughen DUI Laws and Close Driving Loopholes

Overview

• Assembly members outlined a developing package that targets prevention, accountability and enforcement in response to rising traffic fatalities.
• One bill would require first-time DUI offenders to install ignition interlock devices, a measure revived by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris after earlier attempts stalled over DMV budget and civil-rights concerns.
• Assemblymember Lori Wilson proposed closing a diversion loophole by directing the DMV to add points when misdemeanor diversion is granted for vehicular offenses.
• Wilson also plans to shift the start of license suspensions and revocations to the time of release from custody rather than at conviction to lengthen real-world penalties.
• The package calls for expanded DUI training for officers, and follows separate Senate action by Sen. Bob Archuleta to increase penalties and ease murder charges for repeat offenders, with further Senate proposals expected later this month.