DRIVERS have been cautioned about a new law that has drastically increased the consequences for reckless driving.
Those who violate the new driving law could face $50,000 fines and jail time.
3
3
3
Montana lawmakers who have been advocating for stricter DUI consequences have passed a House bill that would address this issue, as reported by NBC affiliate KTVH.
On Tuesday, the bill passed with an overwhelming majority in favor of harsher penalties for DUIs that result in a death.
House Bill 267 was dubbed “Bobby’s Law,” after Bobby Dewbre, who was killed in a drunk driving accident outside Columbia Falls.
After her son’s death, Beth McBride founded the Montana Bar Fairies, a grassroots advocacy group that hopes to prevent or minimize drunk driving incidents.
Volunteers for the group pass around gift cards for coffee, focusing on cars that have been left at bar parking lots overnight.
“After celebrating his 21st birthday, Bobby was crossing the street to get into his sober ride home when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver,” the Montana Bar Fairies website reads.
“The driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was more than double the legal limit, measuring 0.20%. Because Bobby was not in a crosswalk, the driver’s BAC alone was not enough to convict him of Vehicular Homicide While Under the Influence…” it continued.
Under Bobby’s Law, there is a new criminal offense — aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence.
That means any driver who was involved in a drunk driving accident that resulted in death could be charged with a felony if their blood alcohol content is equal to or above 0.16.
Those who are charged could be facing up to 30 years behind bars, with a minimum of three years.
The law also mentions a fine between $10,000 and $50,000 that could be added to the jail time.
The bill was initiated by Representative Braxton Mitchell, who was deeply touched by Bobby’s death and felt a need to push for greater consequences for DUI-related crimes, as reported by the Daily Inter Lake.
“Bobby grew up a few doors down from me in Columbia Falls. I went to school with him, he was a couple years behind me,” said Mitchell.
“The night he was killed, he was with one of my best friends. Just being able to bring this bill, I mean, it’s emotional to bring up. I’m glad we’re finally here.”
Penalties under Bobby’s Law
“House Bill 267, commonly known as Bobby’s Law, seeks to recognize a driver’s high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in fatal accidents as inherent gross negligence. Under current law, a high BAC is not explicitly considered criminally negligent, despite the significant impairments caused by severe intoxication.”
Under Bobby’s Law, offenders face a state prison term of between three and 30 years. Those convicted also face a fine between $10,000 and $50,000 in addition to the prison time.
Source: Montana Bar Fairies
He’s not the only one who was glad to see the bill’s passage.
Beth McBride was overjoyed after the bill was signed by Montana’s Governor Greg Gianforte.
“It means Bobby didn’t die in vain,” said McBride.
“It means other families won’t have to suffer injustice. We can’t turn back the clock, but we can make it right for future families.”
At public hearings for Bobby’s Law, several community members showed their support, especially those who were impacted by other drunk driving accidents.
The state of Montana has more drunk driving fatalities per capita than any other state, according to a 2025 Forbes report.
“It wasn’t always just about him. He shared in his joy, he shared the things he had. He stopped to help people,” recalled McBride.
“This is what this law is, it’s his legacy.”