Senate committee backs crackdown on teens who drink and drive
The Senate Courts of Justice Committee today approved a bill that would extend indefinitely a law, set to expire in 2010, that punishes teens who drink and drive.
House Bill 1868, sponsored by Del. William R. Janis, R-Henrico would expand on an existing law that allows local courts to impose fines and suspend the licenses of teens found to have more than a trace amount of alcohol in their blood. The new law would also increase the punishment for violators.
Currently, teens convicted would face a six-month license suspension and a fine of no more than $500. The new legislation, if passed and signed by the governor, would increase the license suspension to one year, and make the minimum fine $500, or 50 hours of community service.
The measure now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
-- Jim Nolan
Reader Reactions
You have to make people make choices and if this law is passed and a teenager decides to drive after drinking then they are basically saying that drinking means more to them than driving. I would suggest making the fine at least $1000. A year suspension and a $1000 fine? Is it worth it? Does it taste that good? Don’t trade what you want most…for what you want most at the moment.
10 dollars an hour for community service. now that is not bad at all.
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