Driving Under Influence

Driving Under Influence

Introduction

Nature Of The Problem

The problem of drunken driving on the highways has reached a national magnitude, prompting recent legislation by the House Public Works and Transportation Committee, Washington, D.C., to provide incentive grants to states as they take recommended steps to control drunken driving. According to figures provided by the committee, the past 10 years has seen 250,000 Americans killed in accidents involving drunken drivers. In the past year alone, more than 25,000 persons died in automobile crashes and another 650,000 suffered serious injury involving drunken drivers. Economic losses totaled more than $24 billion. (Kwasnoski, 2008)

There is a nationwide drive to crack down on people arrested for Driving Under the Influence DUI which includes use of drugs (AKA: Driving While Intoxicated--DWI). A lot of citizens groups have put pressure on the state governments to do something aobut driving and alcohol problems because of the many deaths on the highways. A group in California called MAD is compsed of mothers of children killed by drunken drivers. Another group called Remove Intoxicated Drivers (RID) is a nationwide organization active in Idaho, working with legislators, judges, law enforcement agencies, alcohol rehabilitation groups, etc. to rid the roads of drunken drivers. Word has gotten to the judges that there may be something done from the legislative standpoint regarding mandatory jail sentences for DUI/DWI. There is nothing mandatory now; it is up to the judges' discretion. California passed a law having a mandatory jail sentence for the first DUI/DWI offense. Idaho will be looking at similar laws. (Nichols, 2009)

The first time around depends on individual circumstances, said one Bannock County judge. A jail sentence may be suspended or the person may serve a few days and be placed on probation for a year. The conditions of the probation could involve taking an alcoholic rehabilitation program. If the person doesn't comply, he or she would have to serve the jail term. The individuals realize they will have to pay a fine. If they want his consideration in getting a withheld judgment, he expects payment of the $150-$300 fine the same day or they go to jail.

The sentence and fine for second and subsequent drunken driving offenses would depend on their previous DUI/DWI record and other arrest record. The maximum penalty is six months in jail and/or $300 fine. In the past it was usual for an offender to be fined $50 or $75.

The trend is definitely toward tougher sentences for drunken driving. The public thinks judges are too lenient. The judges are aware of the public feeling and have been getting stricter with offenders. There is a good chance a person convicted of drunken driving will receive a jail sentence in addition to being fined. (King, 2009)

When a drunken driver gets behind the wheel of a car, it becomes a lethal weapon. Most of them don't realize that drinking cuts their reaction time and vision, so they go ahead and drive. A police officer will stop a driver if he is weaving and ...