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RI senators introduce bills for changes in DUI, driving laws
Chris Curtis
Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: News
03/11/09 - The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings at the State House to discuss a number of bills that could establish new motor vehicle offenses last Thursday.
Of the 12 bills under consideration, five are aimed specifically at strengthening penalties against drivers convicted of driving under the influence.
One bill, sponsored by Sen. Leonidas Raptakis (D-Warwick), would make it a felony to drive with a license suspended for either DUI or refusing to submit to a chemical test.
Another bill, sponsored by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-South Kingstown, New Shoreham), would allow police to obtain a search warrant to take blood, breath or urine samples for testing from drivers suspected of being under the influence.
Under current law, drivers suspected of driving under the influence may refuse to submit to tests, but can be charged with a misdemeanor for doing so.
Sosnowski, who sponsored four of the bills, said the purpose of the legislation was "to save lives."
"I've seen too many families destroyed by … loved ones being killed or seriously injured," Sosnowski said in an interview. "There's plenty of unfortunate accidents that happened right here in South Kingstown."
Sosnowski said she has been a strong proponent of DUI legislation since one of her constituents lost a son to a drunken driver.
Another of Sosnowski's bills would make it a felony for an adult to provide alcohol to a minor who then causes death or serious injury while under the influence.
"The idea of this bill is to make adults accountable, to make them think twice before they furnish alcohol to a minor," Sosnowski said. "The main thing is to save lives."
URI junior Kathryn Whitehouse said the bill was a good idea.
"I think that's a great law actually," Whitehouse said. "It teaches you a lesson."
Senior Jason Smith offered a different opinion of the law.
"I don't think it's a good idea, I don't want us to be in a country where people are held responsible for what some one else does," Smith said.
Of the 12 bills under consideration, five are aimed specifically at strengthening penalties against drivers convicted of driving under the influence.
One bill, sponsored by Sen. Leonidas Raptakis (D-Warwick), would make it a felony to drive with a license suspended for either DUI or refusing to submit to a chemical test.
Another bill, sponsored by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-South Kingstown, New Shoreham), would allow police to obtain a search warrant to take blood, breath or urine samples for testing from drivers suspected of being under the influence.
Under current law, drivers suspected of driving under the influence may refuse to submit to tests, but can be charged with a misdemeanor for doing so.
Sosnowski, who sponsored four of the bills, said the purpose of the legislation was "to save lives."
"I've seen too many families destroyed by … loved ones being killed or seriously injured," Sosnowski said in an interview. "There's plenty of unfortunate accidents that happened right here in South Kingstown."
Sosnowski said she has been a strong proponent of DUI legislation since one of her constituents lost a son to a drunken driver.
Another of Sosnowski's bills would make it a felony for an adult to provide alcohol to a minor who then causes death or serious injury while under the influence.
"The idea of this bill is to make adults accountable, to make them think twice before they furnish alcohol to a minor," Sosnowski said. "The main thing is to save lives."
URI junior Kathryn Whitehouse said the bill was a good idea.
"I think that's a great law actually," Whitehouse said. "It teaches you a lesson."
Senior Jason Smith offered a different opinion of the law.
"I don't think it's a good idea, I don't want us to be in a country where people are held responsible for what some one else does," Smith said.
