by Tom Blair
Columnist

I was recently listening to a talk show, where the host was talking with a police officer about stopping DUI drivers from killing people on the highways, and that would be a wonderful idea; however, police and politicians always seem to think that “bigger fines” are the answers to many problems. Wrong!

There’s the story from a century or so ago, where they wanted to end pick-pocketing in England. They called all the people into the city square and showed them how they were going to solve it. Pick-pocket thieves who were convicted got their hands cut off in the public square, now that’s punishment! SO, while the big trial was going on, there were people in the audience who were getting their pockets picked!

The point is: you could have the death penalty for DUI and there would still be drunks killing people on the highways. As a matter of fact, MOST of the time when a drunk kills someone, the perpetrator has a history of DUI’S.

When someone murders another, they KNOW it will be life in prison or death if they get caught, but it still happens.

The answer? Get ’em off the streets. First offense should be a wakeup call, perhaps an evaluation for alcohol abuse? Counseling? Of course a stiff fine and loss of license for a period of time.

Now, the second time– mandatory minimum time of six months in the slammer. It would be a good “dry up time” and thinking period. The third offense? Mandatory minimum of one year in jail. Fourth offense — five years in the slammer.

Remember, the idea isn’t for the state to make a lot of money from drunks on the road; we need to get them OFF THE ROAD.

Another thing about drinking drivers: there are two kinds — the ones who know they’ve had a little too much and they are extra careful and drive a little slower and are on the lookout for anything, and those who drink and become aggressive and over-confident and drive like idiots.

It’s kind of like speeders. One knows he’s speeding and is very alert… looking for other cars, deer and cops, while the more dangerous one isn’t aware he’s speeding, isn’t watching out for anything and may be playing with a cell phone or radio… definitely more dangerous. (Actually, I think I’d rather face a careful, non-aggressive drunk than an inattentive speeder.)

But it sure makes more sense to me to jail drunken drivers than to fine them and turn them loose to continue driving. Taking their driver’s license doesn’t prevent them from driving, does it? But that’s just my opinion, and I have been a law enforcement officer and a drunk driver in my life.

Might be that mandatory alcohol intervention, counseling and treatment (with follow up) on the first offense would be a humane and sensible thing to try… but bigger fines? Bah, humbug! They have places that have BIG fines, but I never heard of a drunk running into anyone with a car while in jail.

Tom “Road” Blair

road742@aol.com

Website: www.tomroadblair.com