Friday, Governor Mark Sanford encouraged a bill designed to toughen drunk driving laws in South Carolina.  The Republican governor says that this bill needs to pass this year.

“Too many people are dying on our roads each year because of our anemic DUI laws,” Sanford claims.

Almost 500 people die each year in alcohol-related accidents in South Carolina.
With only six days remaining in the regular 2007 session, Governor Sanford called on legislators to send the bill to his desk.

Last week, the House approved the legislation, which would create a tiered penalty system based on the driver’s blood-alcohol content.  The law would require police officers to read suspects their Miranda rights numerous timed during the arrest.  This would eliminate any loopholes that would make it difficult to prosecute suspects.

The Senate Judiciary Committee received the bill this week.  Governor Sanford asked senators to pass the bill quickly.