Tennessee Legislators Consider New DUI Laws

Tennessee lawmakers tackle new DUI laws meant to keep your family safe on the roadways.

Unfortunately two months into 2008, parents and prosecutors say we've already seen far too many tragedies. They're hoping the new laws will soon make an impact on our streets.

Even on a carefree day of play, Teresa Wesson, mother of two, has a nagging concern.

"It's often in the back of my mind driving and trying to constantly be aware of signs of someone driving intoxicated," she says.

Deadly DUI wrecks where some of our youngest turn into victims fuel her fear.

"I think it's reckless and wasteful. I think that it's tragic that as a parent I have to be afraid about going down the road at any given time of day or night," says Wesson.

But change is in the air.

Jay Woods, Asst. District Attorney says, "2008 cannot be the year of drunk driving tragedies. It cannot. We had too good of a year in 2007. We've got to keep working to make sure that we continue that reduction in Hamilton County."

Woods says we saw a drop of 17 fatalities last year.

" So far this year we haven't seen a big increase in numbers but We've seen a big increase in tragedies," he says.

He and parents like Teresa Wesson, hope the new laws will help drive home a serious message, don't drink and drive.

"Anything that keeps our families or our children safer I think is going in the right direction," says Wesson.

Another bill would lead to immediate temporary loss of license for drunk drivers who refuse to get tested.