NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — Tens of thousands of drivers in Massachusetts did not learn their lesson after their first conviction for “operating under the influence,” or OUI, according to RMV data obtained by FOX25 Investigates. More than 2,500 drivers are on record with more than 5 OUI’s. A federal report found one driver in the state with 21 convictions.
Despite efforts to strengthen drunk driving laws in the Bay State, repeat offenders are often still able to get behind the wheel of a car, frequently killing and injuring others. It has victims, advocacy groups, and law enforcement calling for more restrictions and tougher penalties.
Ignoring the Law
Jeff Thorn was with his wife and daughter, driving to dinner in Salisbury on the day after Christmas when they were hit by a drunk driver.
“All of a sudden, a car just cut right across our path, accelerating quite violently,” said Thorn.
Thorn was briefly trapped in his SUV after the crash, but he and his family escaped serious injury. The SUV that hit them took off.
“Actually riding on the rims, sparks flying off the vehicle,” said Thorn. “We immediately said that person has to be drunk.”
Those suspicions were confirmed when Amesbury police caught up with the other driver a few miles from the crash. According to a police report, 58 year-old Maura Doyle gave police a false name before registering twice the legal limit for alcohol on a breathalyzer.
Records reveal Doyle already had three drunk driving convictions and a suspended license. She’s now in jail, facing a fourth OUI charge and her license was permanently revoked because she refused a blood test for alcohol at the police station.
“Our concern is… if something isn’t done with this woman and others like her, she’s going to kill someone,” said Thorn.
Calls for Change
FOX25 Investigates obtained RMV data about repeat offenders through the Massachusetts Public Records Law that shows more than 45,000 drivers in the state with three or more OUI convictions.
More than 6,000 drivers have five or more OUI convictions – the limit before Massachusetts will permanently suspend a license.
Laws in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont require a lifetime suspension after just three convictions.
>> VIEW THE NEW ENGLAND LAWS COMPARISON HERE
Some advocates insist that’s not enough.
“We know from the data that 50 to 75 percent of all convicted drunk drivers continue to drive even with a suspended license,” said Mary Maguire, Director of Public and Legislative Affairs for AAA Northeast.
AAA and other advocates, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are supporting Massachusetts Senate Bill 1895 by Sen. James Timilty of Walpole that could require first time offenders to install ignition interlock devices (IID) in their cars. The devices require drivers to blow into a breathalyzer before the vehicle will start. Current law requires IID after a second offense.
“The average person who is arrested for the first time… has already been driving drunk an average of 87 times,” said Maguire. “So this is a really significant problem, in terms of those who are arrested for the first time.”
Lasting Impact
Any improvements in drunk driving laws will come too late for former police officer, Chris Doyle of Wilbraham. He was sitting in his parked police cruiser in 2006 when a repeat drunk driver slammed into him at 50 mph.
“I saw her coming at the last second. I threw up my arm to lessen the impact, hunkered down, closed my eyes and waited,” said Doyle who now struggles with the effects of lasting brain damage suffered in the crash.
“Something like that, it was part of my job,” said Doyle. “Everybody who signs up (to be a police officer) knows they can get hurt somehow, just not this way.”
The driver who hit Doyle served a year and a half in jail and lost her license for life. Doyle never returned to the police force.
Doyle now speaks to offenders about the consequences of their actions and has posted videos online, telling his story.
Cox Media Group
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