Act 153, Pennsylvania’s new DUI law, went into effect this past Sunday.

It makes a dramatic change in the way those who choose to drive under the influence are penalized. 

For the first time, repeat DUI offenders will now be charged with a felony, where previously the repeated offense was considered a misdemeanor. 

Before the change was passed by the legislature, Pennsylvania was only one of four states in the U.S. 
that didn’t consider repeat offending as a felony.

There are also increased penalties for homicide by vehicle, driving illegally while under a DUI-related license suspension and increased jail time.