Senate approves Finney’s DUI bills

From Staff Reports

NASHVILLE — State Sen. Raymond Finney, R-Maryville, has gained approval of two bills aimed at reducing driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and other drugs.

In one bill, $250 would be added to the present DUI fine. Half of this amount would stay with the local government in the city or county in which the offense occurred.

This amount would be earmarked to build and maintain jails or to add patrol officers on the streets. The other half would go to support state alcohol and drug prevention and treatment programs.

Local and state governments would each receive about $1.5 million from the measure, Finney said in a news release.

The bill passed the Senate on May 1 but a House version is still under consideration.

In the other bill, a victims impact panel (VIP) would be established as one option for judges to employ in an effort to reduce DUI offenses. The judge could require a DUI offender to attend a panel meeting.

A panel would have three speakers: a victim (someone who has been injured by or has lost a family member because of a DUI offense), a first responder (such as an EMT who responds to traffic accidents), and a DUI offender. These speakers would tell how DUI traffic accidents have affected them personally.

Started in Oklahoma, the VIP approach has been effective in reducing repeat drunken driving, Finney said.

“I served many years as county medical examiner in Blount and other counties and performed many forensic pathology autopsies before my retirement,” Finney said. “I have seen far too many tragedies from the senseless, outrageous, antisocial behavior of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. When a convicted drunken driver is forced to listen to people whose lives have been shattered by this offense, perhaps some will choose to be responsible in their drinking habits.”

The VIP bill has passed both chambers and has been sent to the governor for his signature.