The measure would apply to suspects who had a blood-alcohol content of 0.20 or more. It would require the offender to spend at least 24 hours in jail after the arrest.
"I just think it's a danger to everyone on the roads, even pedestrians," said Rep. Russell Capps, R-Wake. "Anyone who gets in the way of those people would be in real danger and we need some teeth in the bill to do something about it."
The bill would also require judges to hand out mandatory six-month jail time to offenders during sentencing.
Currently, a suspected drunken driver can post bail and get back on the road. If lawmakers pass the bill, it would take effect Dec. 1.
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