Gov. Mark Sanford used his State of the State speech to take a curious swipe at lawyers — and some lawmakers — for blocking efforts to strengthen the state’s drunken driving laws.

Curious, because Sanford personally negotiated the revised DUI law passed in 2003, pleading with lawmakers to accept the compromises — of which he is now critical — before the end of the legislative session.

Later that year, he even touted the law, which reduced the amount of alcohol a driver can have in his system to .08 percent from .10 percent, as one of the major accomplishments of his administration.

Critics say that law is so filled with loopholes that it actually weakens law enforcement’s ability to go after drunk drivers.

Spokesman Will Folks said the governor now agrees.

“It boils down to this: A law is put in the field, feedback comes in, and changes are recommended,” said Folks, adding that Sanford consulted both victims’ rights advocates and law enforcement before signing the 2003 bill.

Folks later identified state Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, as one of those Sanford had targeted in his speech as trying to “stymie” tough DUI laws.

Hutto, an attorney who has defended clients in DUI cases, said he’s confused by Sanford’s change of heart about the 2003 law.

“I’m not sure where he contends it needs to be changed,” he said. “He was there helping us craft the compromise. In fact, it was somewhat unprecedented for a governor.”

Sanford is pushing for revisions in the section of the law that dictates how blood alcohol is tested, which he said is too easy for drunk drivers to challenge.

Reach Stensland at (803) 771-8358 or jstensland@thestate.com. Staff writer Aaron Gould Sheinin contributed to this report.