ASSEMBLY OKS DRUNKEN-DRIVING BILL

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 10, 1993                   TAG: 9302100331
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short
ASSEMBLY OKS DRUNKEN-DRIVING BILL
Someone stopped for drunken driving who registered 0.10 percent or more on a breath test would lose his license for a week under bills approved Tuesday in the General Assembly.
Critics of the bill allowing administrative suspension of driver's licenses said it violated the principle that the accused is innocent until proven guilty.
"This nation was founded on the principle that we don't punish innocent people," said Sen. Henry Marsh, D-Richmond.
Sen. Joseph Benedetti, R-Richmond, agreed. "A significant number of people will be denied due process," he said.
Supporters of the bill argued it would reduce drunken driving - and save lives.
"There are still too many drunk drivers on Virginia roads," said Del. James Almand, D-Arlington, sponsor of the bill in the House. "This is the single most effective thing we can do."
He said the 31 other states with administrative suspension have seen a 6 percent to 9 percent decrease in traffic fatalities. Based on those numbers, he said, "Virginia would save 30 to 42 lives per year."
The bill passed 79-20 in the House and 28-11 in the Senate.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB