Legislature passes Haugen DUI impound bill
April 14, 2011 · 11:07 AM
Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen's proposal to have police impose a 12-hour impound of the vehicles of drivers cited for driving under the influence is one signature away from becoming law.
Haugen's DUI impound bill was passed today on a unanimous 46-0 vote in the state Senate.
Since it has already been passed by the House, the bill will now go to Gov. Chris Gregoire to be signed into law.
The bill is known as Hailey’s Law, and was named after Hailey Huntley, who was hit head-on by a woman who had been cited for DUI but was released, caught a taxicab back to her vehicle, and resumed driving.
Huntley suffered a broken pelvis, leg and knee in the crash, as well as a crushed foot and collapsed lungs. She has undergone 15 surgeries in the four years since the crash.
“No one should have to suffer what Hailey Huntley has suffered,” said Haugen, a 10th District Democrat who is also chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee. “This law will prevent people who are cited for drunken driving from returning to their cars while still intoxicated and getting back on the road.”
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