Effective today, those stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence in Delaware will be facing twice the fines, and repeat offenders could be sentenced to jail for up to 15 years.
Gov. Jack Markell signed into law legislation calling for an increase in fines for first offense DE DUI from $230 to $500, with repeat offenders subject to $15,000 fines. The potential jail sentence for repeat offenders was tripled, to a maximum of 15 years. With a blood alcohol content of .15% or higher both first time and repeat offenders will have their driver’s licenses suspended for six months and be required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles.
On average, 7000 arrests for DUI in Delaware are made each year. 30 percent are repeat offenders.
The sponsor of the law hopes that the new penalties help stop drunk driving in Delaware by making it easier to incarcerate repeat offenders and keep them off the road. It was also hoped that future legislation will make ignition interlock devices mandatory for everyone convicted of Delaware DUI.
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