New DWI laws went into effect on August 28
QUINCY, IL. -- It's a message that you've heard many times before but it's one that still bears repeating.
As we look forward to the Labor Day weekend one of the unfortunate truths is that there are some people who will drink and drive during the holiday.
On Saturday, August 28th, a new set of stricter DWI laws went into effect in Missouri.
We spoke with Missouri State Trooper Sgt. Brent Bernhardt who says that the new law includes increased jail time for repeat offenders and moving court cases to state courts where the penalties are much tougher.
Bernhardt says that 25% of all traffic fatalities in Missouri are the direct result of drunk or impaired driving.
He says, "Obviously when you talk about losing the lives of 200 plus people each and every year because of drinking and driving it is a very, very serious crime in our state."
Sgt. Bernhardt says that the goal of these new DWI laws is to get people to take more personal responsibility for their driving.
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