Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 23, 1993 TAG: 9312230184
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
"They're often accused of proposing legislation that just sends a message," said Scott Leake, director of the Joint Republican Caucus. "This not only sends a message but does something, too."
Del. Robert McDonnell of Virginia Beach and Sens. Kenneth Stolle of Virginia Beach, Joseph Benedetti of Richmond, Walter Stosch of Richmond and Mark Earley of Chesapeake presented the package at a Capitol news conference.
Republican Gov.-elect George Allen supports the package, said his spokesman, Ken Stroupe.
One of the bills would lower from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent the blood-alcohol level at which a person would be considered drunk.
The "zero tolerance" bill would allow a police officer to arrest a driver younger than 21 if the officer "has a reasonable belief" that the motorist has been drinking.
The officer can order a breath test, and a blood-alcohol level of 0.02 percent or greater would be considered proof that the minor has been drinking.
The minor could be prosecuted either for DUI or illegal consumption of alcohol.
Another bill would allow a judge to require a repeat DUI offender to install in his car a breath-test device that would measure the person's blood-alcohol content. The device locks the ignition, preventing the person from starting the car, if alcohol is detected.
The offender would have to pay $100 to install the device and about $600 a year to rent it.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB