By Rachel Lippmann
St. Louis Public Radio – Governor Jay Nixon has unveiled his plans for legislation that would tighten enforcement of the state's drunken driving laws.
The seven proposals come from a summit Nixon held on the issue in November. It would become a crime to refuse a Breathalyzer test. County prosecutors would take responsibility for prosecuting repeat offenders, drivers with a blood alcohol level of .15 or above, or drivers who refuse the Breathalyzer.
Nixon also wants to require all law enforcement agencies to enter drunken driving arrests and cases into the statewide system, allowing better tracking of potential repeat offenders. The use of ignition interlock devices would also be expanded.
"Make no mistake. Cracks have developed in the system," Nixon said. "We think these changes are important, and will make a substantial difference."
Mikie Boland, the top volunteer at the Gateway Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, had nothing but praise for the governor and law enforcement officials who gathered to unveil the proposal.
Too many families, he said, had been let down by the current system, Boland said. "Truly the most profound thing I can tell you to everyone is to simply say thank you. Thank you for hearing our pain. Thank you for acknowledging what we already knew."
Nixon's proposals come about three weeks after Mayor Francis Slay announced the city of St. Louis would no longer offer plea bargains to first-time DWI offenders.
Legislation to implement the proposals hasn't been introduced, but the chairman of the state House Judiciary committee says House Speaker Ron Richard has promised to make the changes a priority.