7/8/08-Gov. Ted Strickland has signed a bill into law that is intended to crack down on people with multiple drunken driving convictions. It takes effect in late September.
The new law, previously SB17, forces multiple offenders of the state’s driving under the influence law to submit to breath or blood testing when stopped by police on suspicion of drunken or drugged driving. Previous offenses must have been committed in the past 20 years to apply.
Existing Ohio law requires authorities to get a warrant from a judge to test blood or urine for alcohol or drugs on drivers who don’t initially give their consent.
Police soon will be permitted to use “whatever reasonable means are necessary” to get a blood sample from repeat offenders suspected of drunken driving who have refused a breath test.
Another provision in the law requires ignition interlock devices to be installed for repeat offenders of the drunken driving rule. In certain instances, offenders must wear a bracelet that measures alcohol through a person’s sweat.
The bill also authorizes establishing a public registry of offenders with five or more convictions during the past 20 years. State law now prohibits the release of names and conviction records of those who have been convicted of drunken driving.

Click here to read the 2007 legislative updates for SB17.