For as long as cars have been around drinking and driving has been a danger. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) MADD was established in 1980 and helped to shine light on this issue. Since this time there has been many improvements and lives spared with the efforts of this group. However, looking at statistics today and seeing that accidents involving impaired drivers accounted for 31% of all traffic deaths in 2012, it’s obvious that there is still more work to be done.
Countless lives are lost to the senseless act of getting behind the wheel drunk. Many families have been torn apart. Although we have made strides such as reducing the legal limit for blood alcohol from .10 to .08 and implementing sobriety checkpoints; a permanent solution needs to be found. Some may believe our drunken driving laws are strict enough, but it is obvious they are not because every year there’s around 9,878 deaths and 350,000 injuries as a result. Drunk drivers not only risk hurting themselves and others while behind the wheel, but they can also face consequences that last for years. The penalties increase with each DWI conviction in North Carolina. MADD says that “out of every person arrested or convicted for drunk driving, about a third of them are repeat offenders.” Surprisingly, 50 to 75 percent of them are also driving on suspended licenses. These decisions can lead to charges that can have lifelong repercussions.
Drunken driving laws exist not only to protect people, but to prevent drivers from repeating their actions and ruining their lives. In our state, just a first offense will result in a license suspension, up to a $200 fine, 60 days in jail, alcohol abuse counseling and community service. The penalties for drunk driving increase with each subsequent conviction. Repeat offenders can lose their license for four years and face a $10,000 fine. In addition, law enforcement may be able to seize the vehicle of a repeat drunk driver and sell it, if he or she was arrested for DWI with a suspended or revoked license. The costs for a DWI can be high, even for a first offender. These costs typically include court fees, fines, alcohol counseling, reinstatement fees and high risk car insurance. A conviction of Driving While Impaired with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 or more or another conviction within the past seven years will require an ignition interlock device to be installed on the vehicle including a costly installation and maintenance fees.
Society must be held accountable and responsible for those who choose to drink and drive. Not only should our laws be revamped to reflect the growing number of documented DWI arrests, but others such as bartenders, club owners, and above all friends and family, should be aware and take responsibility for those that may have had too much “fun” for the evening. Toughen the DWI law to help prevent drunk driving.