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Tougher penalties for DUIs coming

HARRISBURG (AP) — Tougher penalties for repeat DUI offenders soon will become state law following passage by the Pennsylvania Legislature.

Locally, police have increased DUI enforcement through Oct. 31, according to Joseph Hope, Old Lycoming Township police chief and Lycoming County DUI Task Force coordinator. Motorists are reminded to use designated drivers or tax cabs and ride-sharing services when celebrating Halloween festivities.

“The task force would also like to remind all motorist to drive safely during the ‘trick-or-treat’ hours,” Hope said in a news release.

The bill that received final votes in both chambers late Wednesday would establish the state’s first felony offense of driving under the influence.

It applies to those with a third conviction of driving with at least twice the legal limit of alcohol in their system and for anyone with fourth DUI convictions.

The legislation also establishes more severe penalties, including longer mandatory jail time, for unintentionally causing the death of another person as a result of a repeat DUI violation.

Officials say there are about 10,000 alcohol-related crashes and 300 fatalities annually in the state, which is considered to have comparatively lenient DUI laws.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf plans to sign the bill.

Sun-Gazette staff contributed to this report.

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