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Peru congress passes new law - Sets prison time for drunk driving

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Congressional representatives unanimously approved on Thursday evening laws to change the punishment for motorists in Peru who are caught driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

It was established that anyone caught driving under the influence of these substances would receive between 2 and 4 years in prison.

The passed law modifies several articles in the country's current penal code that have to do with public safety, said state news agency Andina, explaining that motorists caught with blood alcohol levels at or above 0.5 grams/liter would be facing up to 4 years in prison.

This is only if the driver is in the vehicle alone, however.

Modifications to laws now establish that if it is someone providing transportation for one or more passengers, jail time is to be from 4 to 6 years.

In the case of involuntary manslaughter, if the person responsible for killing someone else was not complying with traffic rules, they will be incarcerated for 5 years.

If it is someone that is under the influence of alcohol or an illegal drug, they will be sentenced up to 8 years in prison.

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# jb says :
August 29, 2008 [ 12:49 ]

They're going to need to build a lot more prisons.

# Rachel says :
August 30, 2008 [ 19:53 ]

The current law is they have to "witness" you drinking while driving.

They'll also need accurate breathilizers and DUI field testing procedures, but how is an inebriated police force going to implement such procedures.

Aren't most sentences 5 years or less suspended anyway?

# jb says :
August 30, 2008 [ 20:04 ]

My bet is that this is a new form of significant "income" for the police that stop you for DUI.

# Lisa says :
August 31, 2008 [ 4:41 ]

We will need more prisions and many more taxis waiting for people  outside the casinos and expensive night clubs. Who may take them? all I imagine is that the jail will be full of poor  beer drinkers, the ones that come drunk from the Regattas or the Swiss club will never be taken....they will pay...to get free. Again injustice will prevail.

# jb says :
August 31, 2008 [ 7:12 ]

Solution:  Build a wall around Lima and make it one, huge prison. 

# Cleo Powers says :
August 31, 2008 [ 10:54 ]

As I've satated in one article already in L.I.P. Whiskey is the culpert. Modesty is in reason when drunk. I pride myself in making the finest sour mash whiskey in the U.S. of A & I can tell you, if they used my product there would be no deaths due to drunk driving, heck, if you drink my whiskey, you wont be able to move, much less drive a vehicle!
Too drunk to drive, no deaths! pure & simple!

# Pedro says :
August 31, 2008 [ 16:43 ]

This comment was deleted

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