Vt. lawmakers target drunk drivers

Montpelier, Vermont - January 11, 2011

"What took place in Burlington in the last few weeks was a tragedy. It was horrific," said Rep. Bill Lippert, D-Hinesburg.

Vermont lawmakers say stopping drunk driving is one of their top priorities this session. Fresh in their minds is the recent death of Kaye Borneman. Police say she was killed by a four-time convicted drunk driver who was drunk again when he hit Borneman in downtown Burlington.

"The tragedy in Burlington highlights once again that we are not yet finished keeping Vermonters safe from drunken drivers safe on highways or in this case, the streets of Burlington," Lippert said.

Rep. Brian Savage, R-Swanton, has been trying for years to change DUI laws in Vermont with Nick's Bill. Savage spoke Monday with Kaye Borneman's family.

"They do hope that through Kaye's death that we will get stiffer DUI legislation in the state," Savage said.

"It's important for us to understand the specifics of this case but it's also important for us not to have legislation driven by any one case," Lippert said.

The House judiciary committee says that requiring ignition interlock systems will be the first step in stopping offenders from driving drunk again. They prevent cars from starting if they detect alcohol on a person's breath. But lawmakers say there's still more to do.

"All proposals are on the table," Lippert said. "I've been talking to law enforcement and the new commissioner of public safety. I'm confident over the next period of weeks we'll be putting through new proposals to ensure safe highways for Vermonters."

"This has been an ongoing problem in Vermont as well as elsewhere in country for 50 years or more but certainly as recent and tragic as it is we hope it will contribute to the success," Savage said.

The ignition interlock systems goes into effect on July 1 but it still remains to be seen if anything else can be done to stop drunk drivers. Right now the ignition interlock system law that goes into effect in July is completely voluntary. Offenders would receive a lesser sentence in exchange for installing the system in their vehicles.

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