California lawmaker proposes reward for reporting drunk drivers
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A California lawmaker wants to give average citizens more incentive to help get drunk drivers off the road, proposing a $100 reward for anyone who reports an impaired driver who is later convicted.
State Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) has introduced legislation that would have the drunk driver pay the reward upon conviction.
“By engaging civilians to report drunk drivers, this bill would directly and immediately lower the number of roadway deaths.” Calderon said.
He noted that 791 people were killed in drunk-driving-related accidents in California in 2010, according the California Office of Traffic Safety.
The measure is likely to spark some lively debate, but with the bill just introduced, groups including Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California said they have not yet taken a position on SB 1203.
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-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento
