Legislator Prosecuted Under New DUI Law That He Helped Pass

October 23rd, 2007 Posted in

capitol According to a Hawaii TV station, State Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu will likely be prosecuted under the state’s new law for drivers caught with high blood-alcohol levels. The law applies to people with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or more. Karamatsu was arrested on charges of driving under the influence on Tuesday and police said Karamatsu’s blood-alcohol level was 0.171.

If convicted under the new law, which Karamatsu voted for, his license will be suspended for six months to a year and his vehicle registration will be confiscated.

Karamatsu’s response to the arrest was the following: “I am disappointed with myself and the situation, but there’s some circumstances that will be brought up later.” It will be interested to see whether or not he receives any preferential treatment because of his job title.

While strict DUI punishments are popular with the general public, they often have unintended consequences. Many people rely on their vehicles for employment and will continue to drive even after their license has been suspended. They also frequently end up driving without insurance. The common response to this problem is that since they broke the law they don’t have any right to complain, but such responses are short-sighted.

Strict DUI laws have not proven to be a deterrent for hardcore DUI offenders. That’s why you continue to hear about people being arrested for their seventh or eighth offense despite increasing penalties across the country. The end result of this kind of legislation is just more unlicensed, uninsured drivers on the road with no corresponding decrease in accidents caused by impaired drivers. That’s not exactly a great trade.

Getting dangerous drivers off the road is worthy goal, but lawmakers need to be realistic about the impact that their legislation will have and come up with better solutions.

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  1. 9 Responses to “Legislator Prosecuted Under New DUI Law That He Helped Pass”

  2. By Becky on Jul 8, 2008

    I don’t think it’s fair to bad-mouth police officers for doing their job. They don’t make the laws, but they have to enforce them. Complain to your state politician instead (it will be more effective anyway).

    This article should be used as a PSA to explain that our current DWI/DUI consequences are not effective. I’m not saying we should push for more severe laws; I would like to see a whole new approach to the way we face this particular problem.

  3. By Joe on Feb 10, 2008

    Damn, did I read this right. I’m surprised that Hawaii’s BAC limit is that high .15? Where’s MADD? This can’t be permitted!! I wished more Legislators would get busted and then maybe they would think twice before enacting strict laws….of course you can’t complain to much about .15 when here in Oklahoma it’s .08 and they love to shove people in prison, except LE’s own. It’s one reason why we have the third highest incarceration rate in the nation.
    Visiting? If you come to Oklahoma, pay your tolls and tread lightly. Stay on the main roads for there’s plenty of little towns willing to let you subsidize their town budget. Forget that romantic image portrayed in the Broadway musical “Oklahoma”. Our cops are on at least par if not worse with everyone else’s cops when it comes to being A….holes.

  4. By Officer Josh on Dec 21, 2007

    JM,

    Believe it or not alot of people get let go for DUI’s not famouse but day to day people. Trust me ive taken alot of people home.

  5. By jm on Nov 23, 2007

    george bush dwi Kennybunkport 1976 - forgiven

    dick cheney dwi Cheyenne, wy 1963- forgiven
    dick cheney dwi Cheyenne, wy 1964 - forgiven

    Hillary Clinton dwi ? who cares, it’s about pardoning 400 felons for them. Why would that matter. Lets go for another impeachment , they say

    John Edwards? North Carolinal is MADDS favorite state so isn’t he reall waiting on Duke Lacrosse players-forgiven in their “All the worlds a stage” political show

  6. By clark on Nov 8, 2007

    ^ had to mention that DUI/DWI and speed enforcement is a GIGANTIC industry in
    Hawaii. The city & county depends on the
    income (probably spending it ahead of time)
    forcing popo brass to crack the whip for more busts.

    And ya know what really bites? The only dragstrip on the island closed almost 2 years ago. There’s young kids in EVOs and STIs dying every weekend on the freeways.

    Has this problem been addressed by the Legislature? Hah! They surely don’t wanna kill the magical goose. Grrrr.

  7. By clark on Nov 8, 2007

    I’ve met the Honorable State Rep and he’s a good kid. They got him. There’s never a good time to drink and drive granted, but Hawaii cops use very draconian measures like DUI checkpoints. As you are forced to slow the popos are beaming their mag lites into your eyes and they stop every 5th or so car anyway
    for deeper analysis.

  8. By Manny P. on Oct 26, 2007

    That won’t work, at that rate we’ll run out of tax payers and there won’t be any moola… in the state treasurer. But I do agree you can’t just go all blanket on this you know what I mean! If the person has a CDL lic then no you can’t take that away. This doesn’t mean there are no bad CDL drivers especially them pill heads. If they have a regular lic. take it away.

  9. By Dave S. on Oct 25, 2007

    How about making a useful suggestion instead of complaining?

    At the least, having a driver’s license does not indicate a good driver.

    My idea is any driver found to be impaired is taken to the side of the road and executed. A 9mm to a sodden brain will get noticed by the rest the squirrels.

  10. By clayton on Oct 24, 2007

    Anyone want to place a bet on this one…..??? Charges will be dropped

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