Last Friday (September 25), California Governor Gavin Newsom signed four new drunk driving regulations aimed at curbing the alarming rise in drunk driving fatalities in recent years. The new laws include charging repeat offenders with felony offenses and allowing for murder charges in cases where drunk driving leads to death. This year, the state legislature introduced a total of 17 drunk driving proposals, with advocates stating their intention to continue pushing for policy reform.
California sees about 4,000 people die annually in traffic accidents, with around 30% involving drunk or drugged driving. In 2024, there were 1,355 cases of deaths due to drunk driving, with 1,106 pedestrian fatalities. California’s drunk driving regulations are considered among the most lenient in the U.S., with drivers with drunk or drugged driving records often escaping punishment and continuing to drive freely. In other states, a second offense could result in a felony charge; whereas in California, a driver would need to have four drunk driving offenses within a decade to face felony charges, unless there are injuries or fatalities involved.
“Driving under the influence, especially when it leads to loss of life, is unforgivable when impaired or under the influence of alcohol,” said Governor Newsom. “We are now enacting stricter laws to increase accountability for offenders. We will not stand idly by in the face of drunk and drugged driving behaviors that lead to more lives lost and irreversible tragedies for families.”
The four bills signed by Newsom are SB907, also known as “Braun’s Law,” introduced by Senator Bob Archuleta from the 30th District; AB1546 proposed by Assemblymember Nick Schultz from the 44th District; and AB1685 and AB1687 introduced by Assemblymember Tom Lackey from the 34th District.
According to a news release, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has arrested over 50,900 drivers suspected of drunk or drugged driving (referred to as DUI) throughout the state and has set up 75 sobriety checkpoints and conducted 154 high-density patrols, in addition to organizing 64 traffic safety outreach events.
SB907, named “Driving under the influence and other driving offenses: comprehensive reform,” also known as “Braun’s Law,” passed in the Senate and Assembly with votes of 39:0 (1 absent) and 77:0 (2 absent) respectively, and took effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature.
This bill is named after Braun Levi, an 18-year-old high school student and nationally ranked tennis player. In January 2025, the Levi family lost their home in the devastating Palisades Fire and relocated to Manhattan Beach. In May of the same year, while walking locally, Levi was struck and killed by a repeat drunk driving offender.
Archuleta’s granddaughter Samantha also tragically lost her life due to the reckless behavior of a multiple drunk driving offender. Archuleta said, “This hits close to home for me personally; no family should endure the pain experienced by my family or the Levi family.” He added, “These are tragedies that were entirely preventable, and while we cannot bring back Samantha or reunite Levi with his family, the signing of SB907 finally brings justice for the victims in California.”
Levi’s mother, Jennifer Levi, expressed gratitude that the Governor listened to the voices of the people, took action, and made California safer by signing Braun’s Law. She also thanked Archuleta and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman for their steadfast support.
“As a Californian, I feel proud and inspired when voices are heard, and leaders take action, bringing about changes that make me proud and inspired as a Californian,” she said.
SB907 significantly increases penalties for repeat drunk driving offenders, requires judges to issue mandatory warnings about the deadly risks of DUI, and expands the scope of application of harsher penalties for “violent felonies.” Supporters believe this is a direct response to tragedies like the Braun Levi case.
AB1546 passed in the Senate and Assembly by votes of 40:0 and 79:0 will go into effect on January 1, 2027. It intensifies penalties for repeat drunk driving offenders, including longer periods of imprisonment, license suspension, and installation of ignition interlock devices (IIDs, also known as alcohol locks). It also introduces the concept of a “Wobbler” offense – prosecutors now have the flexibility to charge as either a misdemeanor or felony based on circumstances.
If a driver commits three drunk driving offenses within 10 years, the prosecution can bring charges for a “Wobbler” offense; a fourth or subsequent offense within a decade can be directly categorized as a felony. In case of a misdemeanor charge, the driver faces 120 days to 1 year in prison; for a felony charge, the sentence would be 16 months to 3 years, in addition to fines.
“Over the past year, we’ve heard heartbreaking testimonies from families across California who lost loved ones due to drunk driving. These deaths could have been entirely preventable, yet statistics show that California is lagging behind in curbing this increasingly severe ‘epidemic’,” said Assemblymember Schultz, Chair of the State Assembly Public Safety Committee. “The signing of AB1546 by the Governor intensifies penalties for repeat drunk driving offenders; this is a positive step forward in our efforts to enhance community public safety.”
AB1685 and AB1687, respectively passing in the Senate and Assembly with votes of 37:0 (3 absent) and 75:0 (4 absent), increase the violation points for “vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated” from 2 to 3 points, and expand the disclosure of DMV records related to such cases.
AB1687, known as Irene’s Law or the License Suspension Law, passed in both chambers with votes of 39:0 (1 absent) and 75:0 (4 absent) mandates a six-year driver’s license suspension for repeat drunk driving offenders, with the possibility of restoration under strict conditions.
Initiator Lackey stated, “As a former CHP sergeant, I witnessed the heartbreaking and devastating consequences of DUI firsthand. When someone recklessly decides to drive under the influence, the aftermath can be irreparable. In an instant, a family may lose a parent, a child may lose a father or mother, lives that should have continued are forever lost.”
Lackey emphasized that no family should suffer the tragic loss of loved ones due to someone else’s drunk driving. These laws aim to prevent such tragedies beforehand. “I thank the Governor for signing these bills, as despite belonging to different political parties, protecting innocent lives and ensuring every Californian can safely return home is a goal we should all support.”
Among the four bills, the effective date of AB1546 has been delayed to 2033 to allow the DMV time to adjust its centralized tracking system, while the others will take effect on January 1, 2027.