A state Senator who served on the conference committee that looked at a bill to strengthen North Dakota’s DUI law says it is a significant rewrite of the drunk driving law.
And Sen. Kelly Armstrong (R-Dickinson) says he believes it will do some good.
The bill – which has now passed both Houses – adds four new felony charges to the DUI statute. It significantly increases fines levied against drunk drivers. And it implements the “24-7” sobriety program, where parolees can choose to be tested for alcohol twice a day, or wear a special ankle bracelet that detects whether someone had been drinking.
Armstrong says the final bill is a major improvement in the DUI law.
"It takes a multi-tiered approach," said Armstrong. "It gets tough on repeat offenders. It incentivizes sobriety. We strengthen the language regarding juveniles. It's a good, strong piece of legislation that's not going to burden local municipalities so much that they can't enforce it.
The bill passed the Senate 44-0. It now goes to Governor Dalrymple.