What would the world be like without drunk drivers? With over 1.4 arrests each year and about 13,000 deaths last year related to drunk driving, we would certainly be much better off without it. Surprisingly though, the criminal justice system has not latched onto a new idea to prevent just that. Basically, this invention is a breathalyzer, that causes your ignition to lock if you are above the legal blood/alcohol limit. You must blow into it before your car will start. This system "is not easy to defeat, but there are perceptions out there that they are."
Many areas have passed laws to require first time DUI offenders to have these devices in their car, at the criminals expense of course. Costing about $100 for installation and $80 a month for monitoring charges, I wonder...will this really solve the problem. This device does not prevent against another person from blowing into it instead of the driver. It is very impractical as well, since you must be tested 10-12 times per day. Who drives that long? That would be every half hour for 6 hours, or 3 times an hour for over 3 hours. The average person does not drive more than 2 hours per day. Furthermore, how long does this device lock up? One minute? Ten minutes? An hour, or can you immediately blow again (or have a friend do so.)? There are many flaws to this proposed system. It is ludicrous. The punishment should fit the crime, and a device installation charge and monthly fee doesn't really cut it in my book. There should be jail time for first time offenders, no questions, and big fines. It is the only way to get people to think about what they have done. Money is nothing, a breathalyzer, just a minor inconveniance to get around.
This breathalyzer/ignition lock device, if implemented by law everywhere, would send one, and only one message to the government: Blow me!
information source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/22/AR2007082201987.html
No comments:
Post a Comment