Toughened-up DUI law taking effect in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - For the first time in nearly a decade, South Carolina’s law to crack down on drunken driving is about to toughen up.
ers say a change going into effect this weekend will make the roads safer for everyone.
“Sunday, the laws get tougher,” said Steve Burritt, the South Carolina/North Carolina regional executive director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “It’s never been a good idea, obviously, to drive impaired, but the consequences do get stronger, and we hope people take that into and they think about their decision-making.”
MORE | Game wardens share safety tips ahead of boating season
With a busy boating season on the way, game wardens from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are reminding the public to be aware of safety regulations before they head out on the water.
The law temporarily imposes an ignition interlock requirement on all DUI convictions.
An ignition interlock is a device about the size of a cell phone that is wired into a vehicle’s ignition system. Convicted drunk drivers must provide a breath sample into the device in order to start their vehicle. If any measurable amount of alcohol is detected, the vehicle will not start.
“Once they fail the test, we’re notified,” South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services Acting Director Jodi Gallman said.
Gov. Henry McMaster actually signed this into law last year.
But its implementation was delayed until this weekend so state agencies had time to increase staffing, update computer systems, and get the word out about the change.
Before this, drivers could be required to use an ignition interlock if they had multiple DUI convictions or a first conviction with a blood alcohol concentration nearly twice the legal limit.
This new law applies to any first conviction.
“Nationwide, since 2006, ignition interlock devices have blocked 4.8 million drunk driving trips,” Burritt said.
MORE | It’s snake season in our region: Here’s what you should know
What should you do if you encounter a snake? Here's what you need to know about the different types of snakes in our area.
These devices stopped nearly 3,000 drunk drivers from starting their cars in 2022 alone in South Carolina.
The state expects the number of ignition interlock devices installed in South Carolina cars will double under the new law.
“I believe that this law is going to help because it’s going to keep people from ruining lives, whether they’re the perpetrator or the victim of that situation and the DUI,” David Longstreet of Lexington said.
This is an expansion of Emma’s Law, named after Emma Longstreet, a South Carolina girl killed by a drunk driver in 2012.
“We’re still victims, and a lot of the people that didn’t have to have a tragedy that you see behind us could’ve been prevented if they would’ve gotten this done sooner,” said David, Emma’s father.
It costs about $130 a month to operate the device, which the people convicted of DUI are required to cover, not taxpayers. But there is a fund to cover the cost for people who can’t afford it.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
