(AP) — Louisiana’s lawmakers have agreed to stiffen the penalty for drivers who refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test when they are stopped on suspicion of drunken driving.
Under current law, a suspect who refuses to take the test loses his driver’s license for six months. The bill headed to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s desk — with a unanimous House vote on Wednesday — would increase the suspension to one year.
Supporters of the measure by Houma Rep. Damon Baldone said the current law seems to encourage the refusal to submit to the test. Jindal is expected to sign the bill, which he supported as part of his legislative agenda.—-Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at [email protected]