LANSING – Fifteen years ago, Heidi Steiner was killed by a drunken driver in Antrim County.  The driver, a repeat offender, was convicted and sent to prison. 

According to Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire, after the man was released, he was caught driving under the influence (DUI) again, but since 10 years had already passed since his last offense, he was charged only as a first-time offender.

A bill in the House is trying to make sure repeat DUI offenders get a stiffer punishment.  

“Under current law, there is a 10-year time limit on DUI offenses,” said Sgt. Matt Bolder, government affairs officer for the State Police.  “The tolling doesn’t stop if you’re in prison for 10 of those years.”

Right now, Michigan law states that a person with two or more drunken driving offenses within a 10-year time frame will be guilty of a felony.  If the 10 years expired without incident, however, the offender would be written up as if it were his or her first time. 

“If you get caught drinking and driving three times, you do have a problem,” said Bolder.

In 2005, 53,000 people were arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Bolder said.  There were about 55,000 cases of injury or death involving a drunken driver.

Elsenheimer, the primary sponsor of the bill, said that most people learn their lesson after their first offense, but those who commit a second offense generally will commit a subsequent one.

Co-sponsors include Rep. Tim Moore, R-Farwell, Rep. John Stahl, R-North Branch and Rep. Barbara Vander Veen, R-Allendale.

Elsenheimer said he hopes the bill will become law before the end of the year.

Bolder said, “The bill makes sense.”