Maryland Gov. Proposes DUI Legislation
On Jan. 26, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley proposed
legislation to impose tougher penalties for DUI offenders.
The Washington Post reported that O'Malley's legislation
was among more than 20 bills, most of which would cost the state little or
nothing, which the governor plans to push in the current General Assembly
session.
The bills also include new restrictions on teen driving privileges
and plans to reintroduce a bill that died last year that would authorize the
use of speed cameras across the state--unsurprising priorities given that "Improving Public Safety" tops O'Malley's announced 2009 Legislative Goals.
The DUI bill would implement some recommendations made by a
state DUI task force, including a mandatory one-year license suspension for
second and subsequent convictions during a five-year period for alcohol or drug
related offenses.
The proposal comes as many states are considering more
stringent punishments for DUI. Currently, the state legislatures in Mississippi,
New Jersey, Oklahoma and Wyoming are all debating new DUI laws.
Among the other bills being proposed by O'Malley are
measures to delay teens' ability to obtain a driver's license by three
months. Under current law, people 15
years and 9 months old are eligible to obtain learner's permits. The bill would
push the minimum age for a learner's permit to 16, and a full driver's license
to the age of 18.
The bill would also put an 11 p.m. curfew on drivers younger
than 18, rather than the current midnight deadline. Additionally, the bill
includes several tougher penalties for moving violations committed by drivers
under the age of 18.
Last year, a number of bills to restrict teen drivers failed
in Maryland. Lawmakers who opposed the restrictions said that parents, not
legislation, should make these decisions.
