Nevada bill gets tougher on drunken drivers

(AP) - Harsher punishments will kick in after fewer drinks if a Nevada DUI bill passes.

The Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday passed SB91, which would require courts to send a first-time DUI offender to alcohol treatment if the blood alcohol level registers 0.15 percent, down from the existing 0.18 percent mark.

It also draws that line for ignition interlock devices, requiring a court to order a breathalyzer device on the vehicle of a higher-level DUI offender.

A 160-pound man reaches the 0.18 percent blood alcohol concentration after about eight drinks in the course of an hour. The 0.15 percent level comes after about seven drinks in an hour.

The bill is sponsored by Las Vegas Democratic Sen. Mark Manendo and now heads for the Senate floor.