The two men vying to become the state's top lawyer rolled out public safety proposals to an audience of police chiefs yesterday.
People convicted once of driving under the influence would have an ignition interlock added to their cars, and people convicted twice would have their vehicle impounded under a plan presented by the Democratic nominee for attorney general, Del. Stephen C. Shannon.
The Republican nominee, Sen. Ken Cuccinelli of Fairfax County, promised to fight gangs in the Shenandoah Valley, continue efforts to reform Virginia's mental-health system and to oppose attempts to increase the retirement age of police officers.
Both spoke at the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. Cuccinelli appeared at the Newport News event with GOP gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell, who also offered his public safety plan.
Shannon, who represents Fairfax County and is a former prosecutor, focused on putting the skids on drunken driving.
Currently, a third offense triggers forfeiture of a vehicle, if the drunken driver is the sole or part owner of the car. Ignition interlock -- a device that drivers blow into to test for alcohol before starting the car -- can be ordered for second and subsequent offenses or if the driver's blood alcohol content is .15 or higher.
Shannon also would push for sentences for multiple offenses that arise from a DUI incident to run consecutively and not simultaneously. He would aim to expand drunken-driving prevention programs to college and university towns.
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