DUI drivers face increased penalties under new laws signed by Newsom

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Set us as preferred Gov.Gavin Newsom signed a pack of bills into law Friday that would toughen penalties for repeat DUI drivers in the state.The four bills would turn some misdemeanor offenses into felonies, increase the time of license suspensions for some offenders, and make it possible for repeat DUI drivers to face more serious charges, including murder.

“Getting behind the wheel when you are impaired is inexcusable — especially when it results in the loss of someone’s life,” Newsom said in a statement Friday.“Today, we’re creating tougher laws and greater accountability for those who break the law.”Among the bills Newsom signed into law was SB 907, also known as “Braun’s Law,” named for an 18-year-old Loyola High School student and tennis star killed by an alleged intoxicated driver.

Braun Levi, a nationally ranked tennis player with four Mission League doubles championships, was killed May 4, 2025, after he was hit on Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach by a driver with an alcohol level twice the legal limit, and driving with a suspended license because of a prior DUI arrest.Business A proposed state law would allow insurers to track the habits of California drivers to get the cheapest insurance.Introduced by Sen.

Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), the law requires that drivers who are convicted of a DUI be made aware that if they are caught driving drunk again, they can be charged with more serious crimes.Archuleta, whose granddaughter was killed by an impaired driver, said working to turn the bill into law was a personal fight for him.

“No family should have to endure what mine has, or what has happened to the Levi family,” Archuleta said in a statement.“By signing SB 907 California is finally stepping up for victims.”The law goes into effect Jan.

1.Newsom also signed AB 1687.

The law w...