COLUMBUS — Senate Bill 17, the most comprehensive drunk driving law in the state’s history, has been passed by the Ohio Senate and now moves into committee in the Ohio House of Representatives. It would create a Web site with the names and pictures of all drunk drivers with five or more convictions.

It would mandate Breathalyzer tests for drivers stopped under suspicion of drunk driving after two convictions, and monitoring devices to be worn by multiple-time offenders. Repeat offenders could also have their cars impounded for one year or permanently.

“If you’re going to drink and drive and put other Ohioans at risk, we’re going to get you off the road,” said Senate Bill 17’s sponsor, Senator Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township.

Grendell believes the repeat offender registry on-line will be especially useful to parents. “If I knew that I was about to allow my son to ride with someone with five DUI convictions, he wouldn’t get in that car,” Grendell said.

Senate Bill 17 addresses several of the situations that allowed 11-time convicted drunk driver James Cline to be driving two years ago when he struck and killed Hiram College students Grace Chamberlain and Andy Hopkins. Their parents are active proponents of the bill.  “It’s been two years and this hasn’t changed. Why hasn’t it changed?” Mrs. Chamberlain asked. “It’s past time the legislature should act to protect other children,” she said.

Source: www.wkyc.com