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Maine drivers who get behind the wheel after drinking could be in for even more severe legal penalties than they already face if the state adopts a rule based on a recently passed Michigan bill, according to a report from the Capitol News Service.

State Senator Bill Diamond, a Democrat, told the agency a measure to more harshly punish particularly intoxicated drivers could be in the works because of how much of a danger they pose.

"We're talking more than twice the legal limit. Someone is going to be severely impaired at that level and could well end up killing some innocent driver," he said.

And there seems to be agreement on the point across party lines, according to Capitol News. A Republican state representative, David Burns, also told the agency the Michigan approach was a good idea.

"The higher the blood alcohol content, generally to me, indicates the person is a frequent offender. I think we should certainly look at this and see if it can help," Burns – a former state trooper – told Capitol News.

The news agency quotes statistics from the Maine Secretary of State's office as saying there were 8,203 arrests for operating under the influence there in 2009, adding that this works out to one arrest each hour of every day of the year.

Beyond the serious safety concerns posed by operating under the influence, car insurance rates can skyrocket for those found guilty of this crime. Using public transportation and taxis or making sure a designated driver is available are critically important steps for those who are going out to have a drink, according to experts.