DUI/DWI News

DeFronzo to Be Honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Following a session in which he championed the recently signed "Steven's Law," a law strengthening Connecticut's drunk driving laws and named for a constituent who was killed a year ago by a drunk driver, State Senator Donald DeFronzo (D-New Britain) will be honored this weekend with the GLADD Award (Government Leaders Against Drunk Driving), an annual award given to lawmakers by the Connecticut chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

The award is given annually to "those government leaders who exemplify commitment and dedication to eliminating drunk drivers from our Connecticut roads and highways," said Janice Heggie Margolis, Executive Director of Connecticut's MADD.

Sen. DeFronzo sponsored and championed "Steven's Law" after speaking last year with the family of Steven Gacek, a 20-year-old man who was killed by a drunk driver. The driver was awaiting a court hearing on a previous drunk driving arrest when he caused the accident that killed Steven Gacek.

"Steven's Law," signed into law last week in Berlin (where the Gacek family lives), makes it possible to immediately suspend the driver's license of someone who is involved in a fatal automobile accident and charged with DWI or someone who has lost his/her license for DWI in the past, pending a court appearance.

"Steven's parents have, in a small way, turned this terrible tragedy into triumph, in that this new law will no doubt save lives by getting potentially harmful drunk drivers off the road before they can hurt anyone," Sen. DeFronzo said. "Their efforts have been outstanding, and we could not have passed this law without them."

"I am deeply grateful to MADD for honoring me with this wonderful award, and I look forward to working with them more in the future in our continuing efforts to get drunk drivers off the road and protect innocent citizens from harm," Sen. DeFronzo added.

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	Did You Know?
	Your operator’s license and/or operating privileges can be revoked under the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Depending on the state, this law authorizes law enforcement to immediately confiscate a driver’s license as a result of a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrest. Drivers, who are eligible, may receive a temporary license for 30 days. Drivers who refuse the test will be revoked for a one (1) year time period. Drivers who fail the test will be revoked for 90 days - for first offense, or for one (1) year for any subsequent offense within a 12 year time period.