PROVIDENCE -- State police Supt. Steven G. O'Donnell described five incidents, dating back to last July. Barrington Police Chief John M. LaCross described two more, dating back to November 2011.
Each involved a parent, driving under the influence, with one or more children in the car.
On a day when the judiciary committee's agenda contained 18 bills related to driving under the influence and other driving offenses, it was Rep. Robert E. Craven's bill to make driving under the influence with a child in the car a felony that got the most attention.
Sponsored by Craven with backing from Governor Chafee, House bill 5666 would apply in cases where a driver aged 18 or older operates under the influence with a child aged 12 or under in the car. Violators could be sent to prison for up to five years and be fined up to $5,000. They would also lose their license for up to two years and be ordered to attend driver education and or drug treatment classes.