(FAIRBANKS) – Representative Jay Ramras (R-Fairbanks) proposed new statutory language at today's Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) meeting in Fairbanks, which addresses tougher Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws.

Under current law in Alaska, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08 or greater. This proposed legislation would not change the current law, but would create an enhanced crime of high-risk driving under the influence if it is determined by a chemical test that a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .16 or greater. A person who is convicted of high-risk DUI would face double the minimum sentences of those convicted of DUI. Under this legislation, sentencing for refusal to submit to a chemical test would also be made tougher, to concur with the high-risk DUI sentences.

"The high-risk driver provision of this bill will take clear aim against the most egregious drunk driving offenders; providing stiffer penalties is a legalremedy to bring their numbers down. As we have seen from the needless and tragic incidents that have occurred in the Interior this summer, now isthe time for Alaska to address stricter penalties for higher-risk driving under the influence," said Representative Ramras.

He added, "This legislation is part of a full approach to improve the alcohol management in Alaska. Earlier legislation I introduced involving renewal of alcohol server education cards has been signed into law. It allows professional servers to renew their alcohol server education cards by demonstrating their knowledge through passing a written test without having to retake the introductory course."

Current information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 31 states have already adopted laws dealing with enhanced penalties for high-blood alcohol level driving offenses. The NHTSA also reports that over half of all alcohol-related fatalities involve someone with a .15 BAC or higher.

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