John’s Law Would Protect Public Against Drunk Drivers

John Elliott was a 22-year-old fresh out of the Naval Academy when he was killed by a drunk driver who had been arrested earlier that night for driving while intoxicated, then released. Elliott’s death spurred the 2001 passage of “John’s Law” in New Jersey to protect against drunk driving, and now Sen. Brian Weinstein, D-41st Legislative District (eastside suburbs), is working to pass similar legislation in Washington.

“It makes no sense to arrest drunk drivers only to release them back onto our roads while they’re still impaired,” said Weinstein. “They’re a danger to themselves and a danger to everyone else. This is an easy and fair way to make Washington’s roads that much safer.”

Weinstein has introduced Senate Bill 5417 in hopes of protecting Washington’s drivers and passengers. The bill would require law enforcement officials to impound for 12 hours the vehicle of anyone arrested for drunk driving. Further, anyone who picks up a drunk driver from custody will be advised in writing of his or her liability if the drunk driver gets back behind the wheel while still intoxicated.

Other states and municipalities have worked to put John’s Law on the books. In 2003, Boston became the first city nationwide to approve the law.

According to the national nonprofit group Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 43 percent of traffic deaths in Washington were alcohol-related in 2002. The group gave our state a C-plus in the war on drunk driving.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a public hearing on SB 5417 at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in Senate Hearing Room 1 of the John A. Cherberg Building, Olympia. 

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