CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SACRAMENTO : Law Change Affects Drunk Drivers

Motorists arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol will lose their licenses on the spot beginning Sunday under yet another crackdown on drunk drivers in California. Under the new law, police will have the authority to confiscate a driver’s license immediately and issue a temporary one if a motorist’s blood alcohol level is 0.08% or more or if the driver refuses to submit to a chemical test. The driver’s license would be automatically suspended 45 days later. David French, legislative committee co-chairman for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which sought the bill, said automatic suspension has proved to be a much better deterrent than other punishments, because it is so immediate. The state Justice Department reported that more than 335,000 people were arrested last year in California for drunk driving.