Frank Lautenberg: “today I am introducing the Deadly Driver and Matthew P. Hammell Memorial Act, which would establish national minimum…”

“today I am introducing the Deadly Driver and Matthew P. Hammell Memorial Act, which would establish national minimum penalties for alcohol-related motor vehicle violations. It is a companion to S. 412, the Safe and Sober Streets Act, which I introduced last month along with Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio, a bill intended to make .08 blood alcohol content the national standard for impaired driving. I am proud to sponsor this legislation and when it is adopted, many lives will be saved. However, Mr. President, we can also reduce fatalities and serious injury caused by drunk driving by having tougher penalties. Driving while intoxicated, or DWI, is one of the most prevalent crimes in this country. In 1992, more people were arrested for DWI--1.6 million--than for any other reported criminal activity including larceny or theft, or for drug abuse violations. By even reasonable standards this could be considered a kind of epidemic. And we need to start treating this epidemic. A shocking number of DWI convictions are repeat offenders.”