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House passes DUI bill expanding sanctions for high-blood-alcohol offenders, including ignition interlocks
Summary
House approved HB208 70–0 to allow courts to impose stiffer sanctions for drivers with very high BAC (0.16 or higher), including treatment, ignition interlock devices and electronic monitoring; the bill is permissive to preserve judicial discretion.
The Utah House unanimously passed House Bill 208, which gives courts leeway to impose tougher sanctions for drivers arrested with very high blood-alcohol content (BAC).
Representative Nora Stevens, sponsor of the bill, said HB208 was developed by the DUI task force and multiple state agencies to address drivers who persist in driving with high BACs. The bill allows courts to consider stiffer sanctions for offenders with a BAC of 0.16 or higher — double the statutory limit — and to require treatment, ignition interlock devices or home confinement with electronic monitoring as appropriate.
Stevens described the ignition interlock system in floor debate: "An ignition interlock device fits usually on the steering wheel of the car. It has a breathalyzer attached to it... If the car is already driving, it will stop. And if he's just attempting to start the car, it will not start," she said, adding courts may set the frequency and conditions for breath tests through the device.
Representative Bryson questioned safety and technical issues — for example, how an in-vehicle interlock would be used while driving — and Stevens responded that courts set conditions and the device generally requires a breath sample to start a vehicle or at specified times, which may require the driver to pull over for additional samples.
Stevens noted the bill is permissive rather than mandatory, to allow courts to account for unique circumstances such as a one-time binge. HB208 passed the House 70–0 and will be sent to the Senate for further action.
