Kentucky Senate panel OKs bill taking aim at chronic drunk drivers

Frankfort, Ky. (WTVQ) – A Kentucky Senate committee has approved a bill aimed at toughening laws against chronic drunk drivers.

The measure advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday is the latest attempt to crack down on people arrested multiple times on charges of driving under the influence.

The measure would expand the “look-back window” from five to 10 years for drunk drivers’ previous DUI convictions. Under current law, drunk drivers face enhanced penalties for second and third DUI convictions within five years.

The bill is sponsored by Democratic Sen. Dennis Parrett of Elizabethtown. He says that in many cases, DUI offenses are spread over a longer period than five years.

A similar bill died in last year’s General Assembly session.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press)