New state law for felony DUIs
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Target Zero is Washington's highway safety plan to reduce fatalities to zero by the year 2030, which is why there are newer and tougher laws when it comes drunk drivers.
Drinking and driving is a combination that all too often leads to dangerous consequences.
But lately, WSP has been noticing a trend.
"Over the years the number has been coming down on DUI fatalities with different programs and different things implemented," said State Trooper and WSP BAC Tech, Justin Destito.
When comparing January 1st to August 30th of 2011 to this year, Yakima's WSP office has seen a 14 percent drop in DUI tickets. The number of DUI fatalities in the county has also dramatically decreased. Troopers say it's because they're buckling down on repeat offenders- thanks to a change in state law. As of August first, it will affect those with 5 or more DUIs in a 10 year time frame.
When a state trooper books a person on a felony DUI charge, they bring them to the Department of Corrections. In the past, troopers had to go through a lengthy DUI arrest report and there was a list of limited conditions where they could collect special evidence. Now that's all changed, felony DUIs have been added to that list streamlining the process. Repeat offenders no longer have the option to submit to a breathalyzer exam instead they are now required to give a blood sample.
"It's fleeting evidence. And we need to get those numbers as close to the actual arrest time as possible," said Trooper Destito.
WSP says it's concrete evidence that will help a jury fairly convict a drunk driver.
"I think it's a great law! If you don't have anything to hide why would you not want to take a breathalyzer," said Yakima resident Jeff Wright.
"It would be great for the community and cause less accidents," said Brenda Solis.
"If they didn't learn the first second time, then we got to get people like them off the streets so no one gets hurt," said Chris Medina.
Troopers say that is exactly the point.
WSP says it often sees repeat offenders refuse a breathalyzer test because most of them are driving on suspended or revoked licenses and don't have much to lose. However, now that they are required to give a blood sample, making a conviction is more likely and increasing their chances of jail time
Drinking and driving is a combination that all too often leads to dangerous consequences.
But lately, WSP has been noticing a trend.
"Over the years the number has been coming down on DUI fatalities with different programs and different things implemented," said State Trooper and WSP BAC Tech, Justin Destito.
When comparing January 1st to August 30th of 2011 to this year, Yakima's WSP office has seen a 14 percent drop in DUI tickets. The number of DUI fatalities in the county has also dramatically decreased. Troopers say it's because they're buckling down on repeat offenders- thanks to a change in state law. As of August first, it will affect those with 5 or more DUIs in a 10 year time frame.
When a state trooper books a person on a felony DUI charge, they bring them to the Department of Corrections. In the past, troopers had to go through a lengthy DUI arrest report and there was a list of limited conditions where they could collect special evidence. Now that's all changed, felony DUIs have been added to that list streamlining the process. Repeat offenders no longer have the option to submit to a breathalyzer exam instead they are now required to give a blood sample.
"It's fleeting evidence. And we need to get those numbers as close to the actual arrest time as possible," said Trooper Destito.
WSP says it's concrete evidence that will help a jury fairly convict a drunk driver.
"I think it's a great law! If you don't have anything to hide why would you not want to take a breathalyzer," said Yakima resident Jeff Wright.
"It would be great for the community and cause less accidents," said Brenda Solis.
"If they didn't learn the first second time, then we got to get people like them off the streets so no one gets hurt," said Chris Medina.
Troopers say that is exactly the point.
WSP says it often sees repeat offenders refuse a breathalyzer test because most of them are driving on suspended or revoked licenses and don't have much to lose. However, now that they are required to give a blood sample, making a conviction is more likely and increasing their chances of jail time
Wow, what poor reporting. This is not a "news" article. It is a State Patrol propaganda press release.
Ashley, how about a follow up article about how many accidents involving drunk drivers are actually caused by first time offender rather than repeat offenders?
How about information on showing whether increased penalties actually prevent DUI's? (They don't)
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And how about a mention in THIS article about how police officers have ALWAYS been able to force a person to give blood if he refuses a breath test? All the officer needs to do is call a judge, one of whom is always on-call, and ask for a warrant? An extra five minutes of time? Our Officer's would rather not have evidence, because it is more likely than not going to show the person was NOT impaired.Â
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Drunk drivers are a danger on our roads. Bad Cops and bad reporting are a danger everywhere. Perhaps a comment from Mr. Lamb?