Gov. Jay Inslee said the state was taking an important step in strengthening laws to protect people.
“No law can bring these loved ones back,” said Inslee, who also was joined by lawmakers and law enforcement officials. “But we must move forward in preventing even more loss of life on our roads.”
The Washington State Patrol said there are about 40,000 DUI arrests a year, with half made by the patrol and others by local law enforcement.
Under the new law, a driver suspected of a second impaired driving offense faces mandatory arrest and will have an interlock device installed on their vehicle within five days of being charged.
