New drunken driving bill sent to govenor

The Legislature yesterday overwhelmingly adopted final pieces of a 20-bill package that's been negotiated over the past two years with little debate.

Engler spokesperson John Truscott said the governor would sign the bills immediately once he gets them. The bills would then take effect Oct. 1, 1999.

"We've only called for this for two years. We're glad to see it pass," Truscott said.

Some differences between House and Senate versions and political party philosophies clashed during negotiations. Democrats didn't like the so-called Scarlet plate idea proposed by Engler and that wasn't part of the final package.

While the bills aren't designed to embarrass people, some red faces could result as those who are convicted of drunken driving a second or third time. Those repeat offenders would have their cars booted outside their homes for a mandatory 24 days and 6 months, respectively.

The bills keep the laws fairly lenient on first-time drunken driving offenders. They won't be subjected to immobilization, vehicle forfeiture, ignition interlock devices, temporary vehicle plates or a felony conviction like second or third time offenders.

The bills also would prohibit repeat offenders without a driver's license to obtain vehicle plates.

The bills are aimed at saving several hundred lives a year, said Rep. Frank Fitzgerald (R-Grand Ledge) who sponsored two bills in the package.

"This is the day many of us have been working toward for a long time. We've always believed that driving is a privilege, not a right," he said. "When individuals fail to meet minimum levels of responsibility, and continually endanger others, they must lose those privileges."

According to state statistics, 544 people were killed on Michigan roads last year by drunken driving. That represented about 38 percent of all traffic fatalities in 1997.

Last year, more than 61,000 people were arrested for drunken driving, and nearly 44,000 Michigan drivers have had three drunken-driving convictions.

Other major provisions of the package include:

- Require drug and alcohol treatment for second convictions and ignition interlock devices for licenses restored after revocation.

- Allows Secretary of State to suspend licenses without court order and to issue restricted licenses.

09-25-98