May we offer a solution?

The lack of significant reductions in drunk driving deaths over the last several years has officials confounded and looking for solutions. Alcohol related crashes showed a steady decline for most of the last two decades, starting in 1981. This is attributed to increased awareness from publicity, greater enforcement efforts and penalties, and lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) thresholds across the country. Much of the credit for this progress can be given to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD).

But now that progress has stalled. Indeed, a Department of Transportation (DOT) memo states "2003 was the sixth consecutive year with no discernable progress in reducing alcohol related crashes and fatalities." Government drinking and driving statistics show that there were about 600 more deaths in 2003 than 1999, when a record-low 16,572 were killed in drunk driving crashes.

Officials and advocacy groups are in disagreement about what to do about it. MADD believes that the solution lies in increasing funding for publicity and more frequent sobriety checkpoints. However, the American Beverage Institute (ABI) disagrees, citing a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study suggesting that the reason the problem continues is due largely to those with alcohol-use disorders; so-called "chronic" offenders. The ABI argues that roving patrols are more effective.

According to the ABI, expensive PR campaigns, lower BAC arrest thresholds and sweeping roadblocks are no longer needed. They point out that since sobriety checkpoints are publicized in the media, drunks learn the locations and just drive around them.

If roving patrols are effective, perhaps it would be even more effective if the police just went directly to the source. They could wait outside bars and catch intoxicated drivers before they left the parking lot. Better still, they could stand right outside the bar and give breathalyzer tests to the patrons as they leave. Hmm…maybe someone could install a coin-operated breath alcohol tester right in the bar and let the patrons test themselves…

Drinking and Driving can be Expensive

Not only do drunk drivers endanger the lives of innocent people and risk jail time, they also face significant financial penalties. In Iowa for example, the fees associated with an OWI are significant. According to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, typical OWI costs are as follows:

Vehicle towing and storage fee	$57
Driver's license reinstatement fee	$20
New driver's license	$23
Driver's license civil penalty	$200
Car insurance premium increase	$900
Interlock of "blow & go" device	$390
OWI penalty fee	$1,000
OWI classes	$250
OWI substance abuse evaluation	$45
Probation administration fee	$250
Attorney fees	$900
Missed Wages (5 work days)	$400
Total:	$4,435

And that's just for a first offense. These first timers also face 48 hours in jail, depending on the severity of the offense.

For a second offense, the OWI penalty fee increases to $1,500, and the jail time increases to 7 days.  Third timers can expect a fine of $2,500, and 30 days to 5 years in jail.

That should make anyone stop and think.  You could buy a good used car for that price. And you wouldn't have to go to jail.