TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday delayed voting on a measure that would soften penalties for drunken driving and allow convicted offenders to get restricted driving permits, a measure supporters said would ultimately cut down on drunken driving.
The committee was slated to vote on the legislation Thursday, but lawmakers determined it needs more consideration and said amendments are likely.
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While the bill in its current form would lower fines, jail time and license suspension lengths for DUI offenders, as well as offer restricted permits for work-related purposes, supporters said it would make the roads safer through requiring ignition interlock devices in offenders’ vehicles. Those require a breath test before the vehicle can be started and at random times while driving.
The measure would require all first-time offenders to have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicles. Current law only requires installation if they have a blood alcohol content of .15 or greater. It also extends the amount of time those devices would be installed for repeat offenders. First-time offenders would have the device installed for six months to a year; second-time offenders for three years to five years; and third-time or subsequent offenders for the offender’s lifetime.
Along with requiring the ignition interlock devices, the bill would also restrict offenders granted a work permit to driving only during certain hours and between certain points. They could drive only to and from their job or to pursue employment, and also would have to display a sign on their vehicle reading “restricted use vehicle.”
Sen. Nicholas Scutari, the committee’s chairman and the bill’s primary sponsor, said the measure is a step in the right direction but needs more work to make it better. It’s unclear what changes might be made to the legislation. But Scutari said the ultimate goal is to safeguard the public from drunk drivers, and he’s not sure the current law has that effect.
“Although that’s its intention, it doesn’t really do it,” said Scutari, a Democrat. “What we want to do is move to a more scientific way of ridding our roads of drunk driving without unnecessary penalties, but having the maximum prohibitive and protective effect on the public.”
Scutari said there might not be a reason to limit someone’s driving at all — through a restricted work permit, for example — if the new interlock device requirements are put in place.
