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House Passes Rokeberg's "Tipsy Taxi" Bill
HB 68 Gets Drunken Drivers' Vehicles Safely off the Road

(JUNEAU) - The Alaska House of Representatives today unanimously passed a measure aimed at helping get alcohol-impaired drivers and their vehicles off the road, by granting substantial immunity to cabbies who drive the impaired drivers and their cars home.

House Bill 68, sponsored by Rep. Norman Rokeberg (R-Anchorage), will make it possible to implement the "off the road" program, in which bar owners agree to pay part of the cost for a cabbie or other commercial driver to get an impaired customer and his vehicle safely to the patron's home.

"Many drinkers are reluctant to leave their vehicle in an unprotected parking lot or on-street parking space where it could be towed and impounded, creating unwanted costs and inconvenience," Rokeberg said today. "This program gives the patron and the operator of a licensed premise an alternative at that critical decision point, when the question is 'can I' or 'should I' drive myself home?"

HB 68 grants commercial drivers and bar owners participating in the program substantial immunity from lawsuits for damages, though that protection does not extend to acts of gross negligence. The bill was introduced at the request of people in the Anchorage hospitality industry, who said the "off the road" program could cost $1,000 per taxi per month without protection from liability granted by HB 68, Rokeberg said.

HB 68 is part of a package of House bills addressing the problem of impaired drivers on Alaska's streets:

• HB 132, which passed into law last year, establishes a 0.08 percent blood alcohol limit, and makes it easier for law enforcement officials to arrest presumed bootleggers.
• HB 172, which passed into law last year, establishes innovative therapeutic courts to help substance abusers conquer their addictions.
• HB 179, which passed into law last year, recriminalizes possession of alcohol by minors.
• HB 329, introduced this session, would provide for a chemical test of a driver involved in any accident that results in injury or death.
• HB 330, introduced this session, would provide increased penalties for furnishing alcohol to minors when that minor then causes injury or death while under the influence.
• HB 4, which passed the House last session, is an omnibus bill toughening punishment for impaired driving.

Notice of reconsideration was given on the House passage of HB 68.

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