DUI arrests have risen a bit over past 3 years

A legislative report released Wednesday shows Utah has the lowest rate of DUI-related fatalities in the nation but that DUI arrests continued to climb slightly over the past three fiscal years.

The annual report, presented to members of the Judiciary Interim Committee, showed that DUI-related fatalities for the 2006 calendar year rose to 66 from 45 in 2005. However, at 23 percent Utah remained below the national average fatality rate for DUI accidents of 41 percent.

The study was conducted by the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice.

A subcommittee of the council gave lawmakers a list of recommendations for future legislation that included expanding the definition of "drugs" under Utah law to include "psychotoxic chemicals" or inhalants and expanding jurisdiction to cities and counties to prosecute those who tamper with ignition interlock devices.

There was also a suggestion to appropriate a one-time $750,000 lump sum to create a computer system that would speed up the processing for DUI arrests, which currently takes officers up to two hours to complete.