Laramie Approves Increased DUI Penalties

The Laramie city council voted 8-1 Tuesday night to pass a law which will increase penalties for drunken drivers.

The change to the city's municipal code will affect drunken drivers arrested with enhanced blood alcohol content (BAC) levels.  The new penalties mean a mandatory seven days in jail and a minimum fine of $200 for a driver arrested with a BAC of 0.15 or higher.  Repeat offenders will receive 30 days in jail and a minimum fine of $750.

The law also makes it an offense to refuse to take a chemical test to determine BAC.  The penalty for refusing to take a test is the same as driving with a 0.15 BAC.

The ordinance will go into effect Jan. 1.

Joe Vitale was the lone councilor to vote against the measure.  He said his opposition was over concerns about the penalty for people who refuse a chemical test.

Laramie penalties will be tougher than those in state statutes, in which a person is considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol when they have a BAC of 0.08 or higher.