Utah Presses Forward on Strengthening Drunk Driving Laws, will Louisiana and Other States Follow Suit?

This legislative session, the Utah State Legislature has a lot to consider. On top of a number of bills to address this session, one of the more high-profile pieces of legislation has to do with strengthening the state’s measures when it comes to punishing those who decide to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. According to local news reports, Utah’s House Bill 273 would amend Utah’s current drunk driving laws to extend the minimum sentence for drunk driving from one year to fifteen years to five to fifteen years, effectively setting the “floor” at 5 years for a minimum drunk driving sentence.

Jeremy Mitchell, a father who lost his son named Eli to a drunk driver nearly two years ago said of the proposed increased measures, “I lost my best friend, I lost something that I can’t get back ever in my life.” Of the current laws in Utah, Mitchell also stated, “It’s kind of a big slap in the face to the victims, like it’s really no big deal, go ahead and drink and drive, kill somebody, you’ll be out in a year, no big deal.” In addition, Art Brown, the President of the anti-drunk driving group Mothers Against Drunk Driving Utah supported the bill. Brown said of the legislation, “It is a step in the right direction, and they have to realize that when they do kill somebody, they’re going to start to do some serious time.” For the people of Utah, the bill may come as a welcome enhancement to the state’s drunk driving laws, and may provide a sense of more security for families driving out on the road.

Justice for the Families of Louisiana Residents Killed by Drunk Drivers

Whether Louisiana and other states will follow Utah’s lead and strengthen their own drunk driving laws (whether currently more strict or lenient than Utah) remains to be seen. However, it is important for Louisiana families to understand their rights when it comes to losing a family member to a drunk driver. Under Louisiana wrongful death laws, certain surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for the death of a loved one due to another driver’s negligent or unlawful conduct. Although, of course, nothing can replace the loss of a loved one killed by a drunk driver, Louisiana wrongful death laws provide compensation to certain close family members for their loss. In order to determine whether you may have a claim under Louisiana wrongful death laws for your tragic loss, it is important to speak with an experienced Louisiana personal injury lawyer as soon as possible about your rights and options.

The experienced Louisiana personal injury lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your case and to see if they can help you get justice due for your loss in Louisiana. Contact the experienced Louisiana personal injury lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today and learn about your rights and options for free.

Source:

kutv.com/news/politics/proposed-law-pushes-for-lengthier-prison-sentences-for-drunk-drivers-causing-fatalities-house-bill-273