State Senate Passes Bill to Ease Consequences of Drunk Drivers – Central Coast News KION/KCBA
via State Senate Passes Bill to Ease Consequences of Drunk Drivers – Central Coast News KION/KCBA.
The California senate approved a plan giving drunk drivers a shot to stay out of jail on Friday. The bill would give people convicted of DUI’s the chance to serve jail time at work, through anger management courses and rehab.
We talked to family members of a drunk driving survivor who says that this bill is a bad idea. Jon Hill is outspoken about the dangers of drinking and driving. His daughter Chelsie was paralyzed in 2010. She got in the car with a drunk driver who crashed hitting a tree. “I believe in giving them a chance to a certain degree but not a slap on the wrist and that’s what this bill really seems. I don’t know it’s ridiculous,” said Hill.
Jon says he’s worried letting drunk drivers avoid jail and go to anger management is sending the wrong message. “What I’ve heard about anger management and hours credited for work towards jail time makes no sense to me. It seems like they’re lowering the standards of consequences in a huge way when the problem has only grown.,” said Hill.
Jon worries the bill is so lenient, more drunk drivers are likely to be on the road. Something CHP calls a growing problem. “There is a much more likely chance for accidents to occur and people to get hurt and more people out there drinking and driving and driving drunk. Obviously there’s going to be a bigger impact, negative impact,” said Sgt. Pete Schaeffer.
Jon thinks only a few things can stop people from drunk driving, meeting people like his daughter or seeing the pictures of these major accidents. Other than that the only other option he sees is locking them up. “Its still an easy route out to go and tell your story and be around situations like that, but hang the time over them and if they violate it put them in jail,” said Hill.