The proposals take aim at laws and practices that have allowed dangerous drivers to stay on California’s roads and contributed to a spike in traffic deaths.
SAN DIEGO — A bipartisan group of California Assembly Members announced package of bills earlier this month to crack down on dangerous drivers, DUIs and to address some of the roadway safety issues throughout California.
The proposals take aim at laws and practices that have allowed dangerous drivers to stay on California’s roads and contributed to a spike in traffic deaths.
As of February 2026, California Assemblymember Rhodesia Ranson has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 1605, which proposes a “no alcohol sale” restriction for repeat or serious Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offenders. The bill would allow judges to mark the driver’s licenses or Real IDs of these individuals, requiring vendors to refuse alcohol sales.
“California already has the ability to restrict driver’s licenses and we should do so with the alcohol sales,” Asm. Ransom said.
If the bill becomes law, all customers at bars, restaurants and stores would be required to show their license, even if they look of age, before buying alcohol. Bartenders would also have to manually check every ID before a drink is served.
Bruce Mezan, a Cardiff-by-the-Sea resident, was hit by a drunk driver going 50 mph six years ago. In that horrific crash, he lost his leg. Mezan told CBS 8 that he believes stricter laws are necessary.
“About two years after I was struck, a drunk driver came around the corner here and struck my truck, right on this curb [in front of home], and he did $15,000 worth of damage. And, if you had asked someone, like me, who’s been through what I was through with losing my leg, or even the damage to my car, I feel very strongly that we need to increase the requirements,” Mezan said.
The package of proposed bills would also include: requiring first-time DUI offenders to install in-car breathalyzers, lengthening many license suspensions and revocations and closing a loophole that allows people who’ve killed with their car to avoid consequences through a diversion program.