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O'Malley Seeks Changes In DUI Laws, Driving Age

By John Wagner, The Washington Post, January 27, 2009

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley proposed legislation yesterday that would delay a teenager's ability to get a driver's license by three months, impose tougher sanctions on drunk drivers and expand unemployment insurance to part-time workers laid off amid the economic downturn.

The legislation was among more than 20 "administration bills," most involving little or no cost to the state, that O'Malley (D) pledged to push in the current cash-strapped General Assembly session. Bills similar to several of the initiatives have died in previous sessions.

At an afternoon news conference, the governor also reiterated support for other measures he has said will be part of his agenda this session, including repeal of Maryland's death penalty; additional measures to protect domestic violence victims from guns; and new safeguards against surveillance activity by the Maryland State Police.

"These are common-sense initiatives that protect the progress we have made, continue to improve public safety in every community and every home in our state, and provide vital resources and assistance to Maryland families struggling to make ends meet during this national recession," O'Malley said.

The package introduced by O'Malley include several measures that will probably sail through and others whose outcome is far from certain. Repeal of the death penalty is likely to generate some of the most spirited debate of the session, and several bills favored by labor unions are expected to draw opposition. One would allow unions to collect fees from workers they represent in collective bargaining, even if the worker is not a member of the union. Similar measures have failed in the past.

The proposed restrictions on young drivers include pushing back the timetable for obtaining driver's licenses. A person would have to be 16 years old to obtain a learner's permit, instead of the current 15 years and 9 months. A full "graduated" license would not be available until the age of 18, instead of 17 years and 9 months.

The bill would also place an 11 p.m. restriction on nighttime driving by those younger than 18, instead of the current midnight curfew. Several tougher penalties are included for under-18 drivers cited for moving violations. A number of bills to further restrict teen drivers died last year after opposition from lawmakers who said such decisions should be left to parents, not the government.

The legislation targeting drunk drivers would implement some recommendations of a state task force, including a mandatory one-year suspension of a driver's license for anyone convicted more than once during a five-year period for alcohol- or drug-related violations.

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