Pam Taylor, a Tega Cay resident, has been advocating for DUI reform in South Carolina since 2001 when her daughter, Kelli, was killed by a drunk driver. The state has some of the worst rates for drunk driving fatalities by population and miles driven, according to a recent study. Advocates like Steven Burritt of Mothers Against Drunk Driving believe that Senate Bill 52, currently pre-filed in the state legislature, will help address gaps in prosecuting DUI cases. One key aspect of the bill is the removal of the requirement for dash camera video in DUI convictions, which has been a significant hindrance to holding offenders accountable.
Taylor hopes this bill will bring accountability and justice for victims like her daughter. She proposes “Kelli’s Law,” which would mandate all state highway patrol officers to carry breathalyzers to ensure future offenders are charged. The bill also includes “Bentley’s Law,” where convicted drunk drivers could be ordered to pay child support to the surviving children of victims. With the South Carolina legislature set to reconvene on Jan. 14, advocates are optimistic about the potential impact of this bill on improving the state’s response to DUI cases and providing support to victims and their families. For the latest updates on this issue and other news, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.
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