Newsom Signs 4 New California DUI Laws. Advocates Want More Next Session

September 28, 2026

Governor Gavin Newsom signed four bills into law aimed at reducing DUI-related fatalities, which have increased by over 50% in California over the past decade. The legislation makes it easier to charge repeat drunk drivers with felonies and murder if they cause deaths, and reduces the threshold for felony charges from a fourth DUI to a third within ten years. The bills emerged from an initial package of 17 proposals, most of which failed due to opposition from progressive groups concerned about disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities.

Who is affected

Repeat DUI offenders who may face increased felony charges and murder charges
Victims' families, including Jennifer Levi (whose 18-year-old son Braun was killed in May 2025) and Senator Bob Archuleta's family (whose granddaughter Samantha was killed)
Low-income and historically marginalized residents (cited by progressive groups as potentially disproportionately harmed)
California drivers who kill someone while driving drunk (facing increased license points)
Drivers with four prior DUIs who hurt someone while driving drunk (facing six-year license revocation)

What action is being taken

Governor Newsom signed four bills into law on Friday
Jennifer Levi is continuing to advocate for road safety and work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving
The DMV will revoke licenses for six years for specified repeat offenders under the new law

Why it matters

California has experienced a startling rise in DUI fatalities, with alcohol-related roadway deaths increasing by more than 50% over the past decade. The state has historically had some of the weakest DUI laws in the country, allowing dangerous drivers to remain on the road even after killing someone, with some repeat offenders killing again. These new laws represent a significant shift in California's approach to addressing preventable tragedies that devastate families, though they also reflect ongoing tension between public safety enforcement and concerns about equitable justice for marginalized communities.

What's next

The Legislature is expected to return to broader DUI reform efforts next year, specifically working on a "comprehensive, long-term framework for DUI sanctions" that are clear and consistent, including revisiting the failed bill requiring first-time DUI offenders to install in-car breathalyzers. Jennifer Levi has stated she will continue pushing the Legislature to act on additional road safety measures.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint