By Bob Katzen
The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill that would require that a driver’s car be impounded for not less than 12 hours following their arrest for operating under the influence, regardless of whether the arrestee has consented to a blood alcohol test.
It would also require police officers to provide the designated person picking up the arrestee from the police station with a written explanation of the potential criminal and civil penalties they could face if they permit the arrestee to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“Drunk driving remains a serious public safety problem in Massachusetts and across the country,” said sponsor House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “[The bill] provides additional tools to help law enforcement officials make our streets safer by keeping alcohol-impaired drivers off the road.”