Think A Second Time
Our lame duck Governor Pawlenty that has this mysterious power to cloud GOP minds has now decided to solve drunk driving all by himself, proposing stiffer penalties and lower thresholds. This is obviously part of his national ambitions. It sounds good at first. Some of it I support. But requiring breath-testing ignition interlocks is going too far, particularly for first time offenders.
Our DWI laws are too harsh as it is for first time offenders who otherwise don't cause an accident or worse, i.e., pulled over by police. I've not had the experience, but I know many who have, and it's humiliating, too much so in my opinion, knowing these "perps" as I do. The current laws assume you're a habitual drunk on the first offense. I think that's both wrong and counterproductive, making those charged too angry to show any remorse. To impose further public humiliation exacts too high a price in lost respect for the law. It also "sentences" all drivers of the car, not just the offender.
I'm not belittling the 180 alcohol related deaths of last year in Minnesota, but let the punishment fit the crime. I think you should lose your license immediately for 30 to 180 days depending on the circumstances, plus pay a fine, towing if necessary. But then after carefully explaining what will happen next time, accident or no, let it go at that. I believe our roads will be safer if we focus our limited resources on those who truly do have a problem.
Cross-posted and comments welcome at Speed Gibson.
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