PA: Governor signs bill to increase penalties for repeat DUI drivers
By Myles Snyder
October 24, 2018
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Gov. Tom Wolf has signed legislation to toughen penalties for repeat DUI drivers.
Under Senate Bill 961 allows felony charges against drunken drivers if it’s their third DUI offense and their blood-alcohol content is .16 percent or higher, or if the arrest is their fourth or higher.
The bill also increases prison time when intoxicated drivers unintentionally cause the death of another person. The minimum sentence would increase from three years to five years if the person has a prior DUI, and from three years to seven years if there are two or more prior DUIs.
If a repeat offender is driving while their license is suspended or revoked, they would face at least 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 for a second offense. A third or subsequent offense would be at least six months in prison and a fine of $2,500.
The current penalty is a $500 fine and imprisonment of 60 to 90 days.