Pennsylvania has added more stringent penalties for repeat DUI offenders.
Deana's Law increased the grading for certain DUI offenses, requires consecutive sentencing for repeat offenders and imposes an 18-month driving suspension for those convicted of a DUI as a second degree felony.
For those with two prior offenses, they will be charged with a third degree felony.
Those with three or more prior offenses will be charged with a second degree felony.
"This law makes significant changes to existing law that will ultimately increase the protection of all drivers by keeping repeat offenders from continuing to operate a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol after being charged with a DUI," said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. "Repeating these offenses puts others at risk and these law changes reflect the severity of these acts to make our roads safer."
"Driving impaired puts everyone at risk, and repeat offenders disregard the risk they pose every time they get behind the wheel impaired," said Major Robert Krol, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. "This law enhances penalties for those individuals, and hopefully they will think twice before reoffending."
