On Wednesday, Sept. 22, a man in Marshall, Wis. was involved in a motorcycle accident. It is suspected that the crash was alcohol related. What makes this story unusual is the suspect is now facing his 12th Driving while Under the Influence charge.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, last year alcohol was responsible for 46 percent of fatalities in traffic accidents in Wisconsin, higher than the United States average of 40 percent. Furthermore, 17,013 Americans died last year in alcohol- related accidents.
Most surprisingly, MADD reveals that approximately one-third of people charged or convicted of a DUI have been previously convicted of the same crime. As a result we need to take steps to prevent first-time offenders from committing these crimes again.
MADD offers numerous recommendations for reducing the number of repeat offenders and being more successful in catching those driving while intoxicated. These include more active steps for catching offenders and harsher punishments for those who violate the law.
In order to stop drunk driving, it is essential to catch more drivers by implementing sobriety checkpoints. Currently only one out of every 88 drivers whose blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit is caught. In places that have implemented these checkpoints there was a 20 percent decrease in alcohol related accidents and fatalities. Tragically, these checkpoints are illegal in Wisconsin. The state legislature legalize them to stop drunk drivers from inflicting unnecessary harm.
Even if we are able to catch and convict more offenders, it is necessary that we enact harsher penalties to prevent them from gaining driving privileges so quickly afterwards. Given the extremely high rates of repeat offenses, it is crucial for public safety that we try to reduce them.
Currently MADD is lobbying Congress to pass Senate Bill 2681 and House Bill 1141. If enacted, these bills would place harsher restrictions on convicted drivers, as well as requiring them to make restitution and participate in recovery programs, such as entering a rehabilitation program or meeting with a probation officer.
Placing restrictions on drivers once they have been convicted is crucial. These bills would suspend their licenses for at least a one-year period and would impound or disable their vehicle so that they would have a harder time finding access to a vehicle. Making it harder for these people to drive is essential for helping to stop them from drunk driving during this period.
If the person were allowed to drive on a probationary basis an interlock device would be installed in their car to test their blood alcohol. If the device detects that the person has been drinking the car will not start. Creating as many barriers as possible to prevent the person from driving under the influence is a vital step in helping make the roads safer.
The most important part of these bills involves requiring significant financial restitution from the drivers to the state and any victims as well as incarceration. Drunk driving is an offense that should be taken seriously and by harshly punishing those who put society at risk, we will succeed in communicating to them that their acts will not be tolerated.
Having been in the car with a family member who repeatedly drove while intoxicated, I cannot overstate the importance of not driving while intoxicated. Being a child, at the time I had to get in the car, I am lucky that there was never an accident. He has never received a DUI. There are more people out there just like him making it crucial that stricter laws are created to protect innocent people from injury or death resulting from a DUI.
