House Bill No. 0029 titled "DUI-Elimination of right to refuse test" is going through the Wyoming legislature and it is high time, in my opinion.
Personally, I think that the only reason anyone would need to use the option to refuse testing for alcohol or a controlled substance concentration when pulled over is if they were clean. But if you're clean wouldn't you want to prove you were to the officer pulling you over? Of course, the testing takes time, but refusals usually look suspicious.
If you've ever watched any kind of police procedural show you'd know that.
So this new initiative to get rid of the right to refuse the test is a good move on the part of Wyoming lawmakers because as stated on Legislature Web, the result of giving more DUI tests in the state could potentinally lead to more revenue for Department of Health, which could (in extreme cases) also lead to slightly lowered taxes. Its a stretch, but in a good direction.
Also, if those (idiot) drivers operating vehicles while intoxicated or under the influence are pulled over and tested soon enough they could get hit with the penalties listed on Driving Laws.org.
Alcohol Alert lists the number of driving fatalities in WY and what percentage were linked to alcohol and while the numbers have gone down some in recent years the percentage is still quite near half.
Saving lives should always be a priority and this new law recoginzes that.
I would also say that this new measure is a step in the right direction. However, I still don't think Wyoming's DUI laws as well as most states are nearly tough enough. Look at this law NYC recently passed:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/11/17/cbsnews_investigates/main5701151.shtml
It makes it a felony to drunk drive with a child under 14 in the car, and also requires interlock devices. Even with all these hardened laws, I think lawmakers should make DUI penalties even stiffer. Suspending a license after the fact is necessary but too little too late for those who have been killed by drunk drivers. We needs laws so tough they would scare people from even thinking of drinking and driving. If they are considered draconian, too bad. In Wyoming, and at UW, drinking culture is so ingrained, but it has to also change along with the laws.
I agree with both of you. I think that if someone is pulled over because they are suspected to be driving drunk they should be tested as soon as possible.
ReplyDeletePeople who drive drunk not only put themselves in danger but everyone else around them. I think driving drunk is one of the dumbest things a person can do and like Luke said Wyoming needs stricter laws for this dumb act. So maybe people will think twice. I know many people who received not only 1 DUI but also 2 in Wyoming. So obviously the laws now are not stopping people from driving drunk, Especially in Laramie.
Great blog Chelsea!
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great cause that seems obvious. In my opinion, if police are legally allowed to arrest someone on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, they should be allowed to test those suspicious individuals for the very same suspicions.
DUI fatalities are 100% preventable and any effort we can make as a state and as a nation to lower the loss of life by drunk driving I stand behind with every ounce of my soul.