In a letter to the Chair of the Virginia Senate Courts of Justice Committee, Advocates has joined other safety partners in support of House Bill (HB) 561, to modernize DUI penalties, increase public safety, and recognize realities of life without a license.
HB 561 expands the mandated usage of VASAP and interlock ignition devices (IID) and empowers judges to require VASAP and IID usage with a restricted driver’s license rather than simply mandating hard license suspension periods for certain pre-conviction and post-conviction drivers.
The hard driver’s license revocation period is the waiting period that a person must complete before being allowed to install an IID. It is an outdated and ineffective penalty that most offenders disregard.
HB 561 will increase protection for roadway users while allowing people with DWI convictions to safely continue driving and meeting family and work obligations. We urge swift passage of HB 561 which will reduce crashes and injuries and save lives in Virginia.
Read the coalition letter here.