A new law in Utah, effective March 14, 2024, will restrict individuals convicted of extreme DUI offenses from purchasing alcohol. This legislation targets those found with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.16 or higher, aiming to reduce repeat offenses and enhance public safety.
Art Brown, a prominent advocate against drunk driving, has shared his personal connection to the issue. His grandson, Matthew Affleck, was tragically killed in a DUI-related crash in 1999 when he was just four months old. Since that devastating loss, Brown has dedicated himself to raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving. He believes that had this law been in place at the time of the accident, his family might not have endured such grief.
“The pain and grief cannot be spoken,” Brown reflected. “They were going home from a play, my family. Somebody was in a bar. They served him 21 drinks over a couple of hours. He left there and hit my family.” His experience propelled him to become involved with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), where he served as president of MADD Utah for a decade.
“This law is important because if that person had been refused alcohol as a multiple drunk driver, I may not be in this chair today,” Brown stated, underscoring his commitment to the cause.
The new legislation is designed to limit access to alcohol for those with serious DUI convictions. Utah State Senator Jerry Stevenson, a key proponent of the bill, emphasized the necessity of the law due to the prevalence of repeat DUI offenses. “We’ve been trying to solve it the same way for a long while. It has not worked,” Stevenson noted.
Under the new law, judges will have the authority to categorize offenders as interdicted, which will mark their driver’s licenses with “no alcohol sales.” This designation will notify alcohol retailers that sales to these individuals are prohibited. Stevenson explained, “It’ll identify the people who are going before a judge multiple times.”
In addition to mandatory checks for IDs for all alcohol purchases statewide, the law allows individuals to voluntarily place themselves under the restriction. This proactive measure aims to deter repeat offenders and encourage responsible drinking.
Stevenson reiterated the law’s broader message: “The message that we want to send with any law that deals with DUI is don’t drink and drive. Overuse, irresponsible drinking of alcohol is really not acceptable in any form in the state of Utah.” As the law comes into effect, it represents a significant step towards addressing the serious issues related to drunk driving and ensuring the safety of Utah residents.
