Caucus Press Release: House GOP Disappointed in Senate's Soft DUI Reforms
Feb 20, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information:
Jason Zacher
(803) 734-3139
House GOP Disappointed
in Senate's Soft DUI Reforms
COLUMBIA -- House Republican leaders said they were disappointed by delays on passing stricter DUI legislation, but welcomed a chance to approve the new DUI laws our state desperately needs.
South Carolina consistently ranks near the top of the nation for the highest number of DUI deaths.
"This is an unacceptable statistic, and it's amazing to me that the special interests weakening this legislation might think they are helping South Carolina," said Majority Leader Jim Merrill of Charleston. "Now that the House version is back home, we can put teeth back in our DUI laws and debate this in a conference committee."
The House forced a conference committee because it believes the Senate significantly weakened the original House bill:
* Creates a "Felony Driving While Impaired" classification. If an accident includes great bodily injury, a license is suspended for three years. If an accident results in death, the license is suspended for five years.
* Changes "probable cause" to "reasonable suspicion" to order alcohol testing on a person less than 21 years of age.
* Eliminates the need to videotape a suspect for 20 minutes prior to testing.
* Requires subsequent offenders to install ignition interlock devices on their vehicles -- at the offender's expense.
* Decreases the alcohol limit to trigger the suspension of an offender's license from .15 to .08.
"People driving under the influence are a scourge on our state," said Rep. Bob Leach of Greenville. "These reforms are overdue and I will help the leadership take swift action in taking a strong bill to conference."
House leaders said Wednesday they will take up the DUI legislation as soon as the House officially receives the bill back from the Senate. That is not expected until next week at the earliest.
"This is good legislation that will save lives," said Rep. Jim Harrison, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. "Innocent drivers all across our state deserve tougher penalties for the people who threaten their lives."
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