FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2008
Contact: Stephanie Mantegna, House of Representatives,
302-577-8515
stephanie.mantegna@state.de.us
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TERRY SPENCE PROPOSES
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD
SUSPEND DRIVING PRIVILEGES OF UNDERAGE
DRINKERS
Speaker of the House Terry R. Spence (R-Stratford), joined by members
of Delaware’s law enforcement community, the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco
Enforcement and the Office of Highway Safety, today announced that he will
introduce legislation aimed at strengthening penalties for the underage purchase
and possession of alcohol.
Speaker Spence was also joined by Brian Fischer, Vice President of
Community Relations for The Charmer Sunbelt Group who serves as chair of the
Speaker’s Alcohol Awareness Task Force. The
task force, also comprised of representatives from the Delaware
Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, Mothers Against Drunk Driving,
The legislation will become part of the task force’s official list
of recommendations. It would ensure
that underage people who attempt to purchase or possess alcohol will have
their driving privileges suspended for a period of 30 days for the first offense,
even if the underage person is granted Probation Before
Judgment by the court.
The legislation, being called the “Driver’s License Pledge” bill, would
also require anyone under the age of 21, before being granted a
“I
understand that it is illegal to possess or consume alcoholic liquor until
my twenty-first birthday. I understand that it is illegal to attempt to
purchase alcoholic liquor until my twenty-first birthday. I acknowledge and give consent that should I
be found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction of these violations,
my driver’s license will be suspended. I
further acknowledge and give consent that should a court of competent
jurisdiction grant Probation Before Judgment on account
of these violations, my driver’s license will be suspended.”
According
to Speaker Spence, “The proposed ‘Driver’s License Pledge’ bill is a very
important initiative for our young folks and their parents. An underage
individual trying to purchase or consume alcohol will better understand the
seriousness of the offense if they lose their driver’s license.
I believe this will prove as a much more effective deterrent than fines
only.”
Speaker Spence also stated, “I see this legislation as an ‘eye opener’
bill that will illicit conversations among parents and kids all across the
state about the importance of abstaining from alcohol consumption. It
is far better to have this discussion with an eye toward prevention rather
than while in the midst of tragedy.”
Mr. Fischer is with The Charmer Sunbelt Group, which is one of the
nation’s leading alcohol distributors and is committed to the legal and responsible
sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
He said, “Driving a car is more than a privilege, it is a responsibility.
Buying, possessing or consuming alcohol while under the age of 21 is against
the law. This legislation sends a clear message in the
fight against underage drinking—violate the law and
your responsibility pledge and your driving privileges will be suspended.”
Last month, Speaker Spence and the task force announced another positive
outcome of their effort to reduce the underage consumption of alcohol in
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