Drunk Drivers Face Stronger Penalties

New law lengthens jail time, offers treatment for DUI offenders

Dover — Drunk drivers will face stiffer penalties under new Delaware legislation.

The law calls for longer prison sentences for drivers who have been convicted of Driving Under the Influence three or more times.  The legislation also offers to cut those sentences in half in exchange for participation in drug and alcohol treatment and monitoring.

House Bill 168, sponsored by Rep. Helene Keeley, D-Wilmington South, and Sen. Patricia Blevins, D-Elsmere, passed unanimously through the House June 28, and passed through the Senate June 30, in a vote of 19-2.

Under the bill, second-time offenders will face stronger penalties if the second DUI occurred within 10 years of the first DUI.  Formerly, penalties would have been enhanced only if the two offenses occurred within a five-year period.

Third-time DUI offenders face felony charges, which could result in six months in jail regardless of the time between offenses.  Offenders who have been convicted of seven or more DUIs face five years in prison.

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