Speech
Strengthening Montana’s DUI Laws
Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
State Capitol
4/4/2002
Thank you Director Slaughter, Chief Larson and Chief Tussing (Two Sing), and Duane Grimes, chair of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force, for joining me today in this important announcement.
In Montana, forty percent of traffic fatalities are alcohol-related deaths. Folks, that figure is too high. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, one out of nine intoxicated drivers in fatal crashes across the nation were repeat offenders with a prior DUI conviction in the past three years. In Montana, that figure is three out of ten.
National statistics gave Montana a D+ for its drunk driving laws in the year 2000. In giving this rating, the key areas continually addressed in their report were the need for increased penalties for repeat offenders, a need to reduce the legal Blood Alcohol Content Limit to .08 from .10, and the need to address open container laws.
In the past year, I have seen personally several families devastated by drinking and driving, and I’m sure that many thousands of Montanans have experienced similar tragedies.
Today, I am asking the newly formed Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force, which was created by Attorney General Mike McGrath and I to specifically work on comprehensive changes to our state’s DUI and open container laws.
Our plan is to make recommendations to this group about the parameters within which we would like to develop changes to legislation, and we look forward to hearing their findings.
I understand that this important task force is in the midst of defining where Montana needs to go with regard to alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues.
As they take the next step of defining specifics, I am asking them to aid our administration in developing a plan to address drunk driving by proposing legislation that will toughen Blood Alcohol Content limits, increasing the penalties for repeat DUI offenders, and addressing treatment for offenders, and open containers in vehicles.
I am announcing these initiatives because Montanans deserve to live in a state that provides for the safety of their families.
I am announcing these initiatives so that fewer and fewer families have to face the loss of a loved one in a fatal drunk driving accident.
I am announcing these initiatives because, quite simply, our Montana families and our visitors deserve it. It’s time that Montana’s DUI laws put aside the thought that drinking and driving is socially acceptable – and put the safety of our families first.
First, our administration will propose legislation in the 2003 Legislative Session that moves the legal Blood Alcohol Content limit from .10 to .08.
In a study completed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, .08 BAC is a proven effective measure to reduce alcohol-related traffic deaths. Studies have shown a 6 to 8 percent reduction in alcohol-related traffic deaths in states following the passage of .08 BAC.
Second, our administration will propose greatly increased penalties for repeat DUI offenders.
Driving in Montana is a privilege – not a right, and along with that privilege comes responsibility.
Our ultimate goal in these proposals is not to be tougher on drunk drivers – our goal is to make them STOP DRIVING DRUNK. They make the choice whether or not to drive after drinking. With this proposal, we hope that those under the influence of alcohol will think twice before they get behind the wheel of a car.
A drunk driver is making an active decision that could result in the loss of their driving privileges, but the person who they may kill on the road never gets the choice.
Based on the proposals we carry into the next legislative session, it is my hope that Montana will go from being one of the most lenient states with regard to our drunk driving laws to being one of the toughest. And folks, that’s a ranking we can be proud of.
Next, I am asking the task force to address the need for increased treatment requirements for offenders. We must find effective treatment options that reduce the number of repeat offenders, and help people with the problem learn to resist alcohol.
Finally, I am asking the jointly created Task Force to examine Montana’s open container laws as they relate to open containers in vehicles. This type of legislation has been attempted before, but has never passed the legislature.
It is critical that such legislation have a viable chance of passing, and I am confident that this task force can research prior proposals in our state and laws in other states to find a viable solution that will strengthen our open container laws – a solution that will pass the scrutiny of our state’s legislature.
As we move down this road, we need legislative support and approval to be successful. We are making this announcement now so that we can build coalitions and have concise and accurate information to take to the next legislative session.
I have asked Senator Fred Thomas to submit a bill draft request for legislation regarding DUI’s, so that we can begin to work out the details. We will be working closely with him and the task force over the coming months as we address the strengthening of these laws.
Our administration is committed to making this state safer for Montana families. I know that these proposals will bring us closer to that goal.
I will now turn the podium to Bill Slaughter, who will speak to this issue from a Corrections Perspective.
Thank you, and good morning.
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