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Law-enforcement urges stiffer penalties for breath-test refusals as refusal rate remains high
Summary
Troopers and prosecutors told the committee New Hampshire’s post-arrest breath-test refusal rate is substantially higher than national averages and that HB 466 would increase administrative license-suspension lengths and address out-of-state prior convictions to reduce repeat refusal and impaired-driving fatalities.
State police and safety officials urged stiffer administrative penalties for motorists who refuse post-arrest chemical testing, telling the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee that refusal undermines impaired-driving prosecutions and public safety. House Bill 466 would increase administrative license-suspension lengths for refusals, count out-of-state DUI convictions and refusals when determining subsequent penalties, and allow reductions of the suspension for defendants who plead guilty and complete the impaired-driver care management program.
Lieutenant Chris Storm of the Division of…
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