Drunk driving is the leading cause of death of young people ages 15-24. An alcohol related motor vehicle crash kills someone every 31 minutes and non-fatally injures someone every 2 minutes (NHTSA 2004)
On Friday and Saturday nights, 1 out of every 10 drivers are drunk.
Drunk driving is the #1 traffic safety problem across the nation.
There are more that 25,000 Americans that die yearly as a result of drunk driving.
Drugs other than alcohol (e.g.: marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths. These other drugs are generally used in combination with alcohol. (NHTSA 1993)
Each year, alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost about $51 billion.
Drunk Driving Penalties
Let's consider the penalties of some of these countries to adopt here. Personally, I'm leaning towards the one for San Salvador & Bulgaria.
Australia: The names of the drunk drivers are sent to the local newspapers. It is printed under the heading "He's Drunk and in Jail."
Malaysia: The drunk driver is jailed. If he is married, his wife goes to jail with him.
South Africa: The drunk driver is given a 10 year sentence, a fine of $10,000 or both.
Norway: The penalty is 3 weeks in jail at hard labor and 1 year loss of license. The second offense within 5 years, the license is revoked.
England: 1 year supervision and a $250.00 fine and 1 year in jail.
France: 3 year loss of license, 1 year in jail and a $1,000.00 fine.
Poland: Jail, fine and enforced attendance at political lectures.
Finland & Sweden: Drunk drivers serve 1 year in jail.
Turkey: Drunk drivers have a long journey ahead of them. Police take them 20 miles from town and force them to walk back.
San Salvador & Bulgaria: The drunk driver is given another chance. He isn't executed until his second offense.
Courtesy of the Lebanon, Ohio PD @ City of Lebanon, Ohio, U.S.A.
No comments:
Post a Comment