It’s no secret that the United States has a problem with people driving their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol. Driving while impaired is not only irresponsible and illegal, but it is extremely dangerous to the driver, their passengers, and any innocent bystanders or drivers. As such, the US is constantly on the lookout for new ways to reduce DUIs throughout the country. As it currently stands, roughly 10,000 people die each year in America as a result of drunk driving. So what are some of the steps that can be taken to help reduce this common and dangerous crime? Here are a few.
Lower the illegal amount
As it currently stands, most states require their drivers to operate a vehicle with less than 0.08 percent blood alcohol content (BAC). However, many people believe that myriad drivers are impaired even when their BAC registers at less than 0.08 percent. The National Transportation Safety Board wishes to lower the illegal BAC level across all 50 states to 0.05 percent.
The effect of this would be twofold. First, people attempting to stop drinking near the legal limit would do so with a lower amount of alcohol in their system. And second, because the limit is lower, more people would abstain from drinking any amount at all before driving. A lower punishable level means that drivers will be less inclined to push the limits.
Breathalyzers for all motorists
Some groups such as the National Transportation Safety Board believe that all cars should come required with a device that tests a motorist’s BAC before allowing the vehicle to be turned on. If a driver is impaired the car won’t start.
This also serves two purposes. First, it would make it much more difficult for drivers to drive drunk, thus lowering how many would choose to do so. Second, it would provide reality checks for those who don’t realize how much alcohol they’ve imbibed. While many people who get DUIs are simply making bad decisions, others are simply unaware of how much they’ve actually consumed. This would alert them.
Harsher penalties
The most successful way to lower the number of DUIs in the country, however, would come in the form of harsher penalties for offenders. As it is, penalties for DUIs are harsh, but simply not harsh enough. The rate of DUIs is still staggering, and the rate of repeat offenders is frightening. Many people believe that all offenders should have their license suspended for the rest of their life if they are caught driving drunk. While this is unlikely to happen, it is possible that states could start issuing harsher penalties, such as 30 days in jail and three years with a suspended license for first time offenders.
As it is, people simply aren’t fazed enough by the penalties not to drive drunk. Harsher penalties would make people think harder about the consequences of making such a poor decision.
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Education
Many people simply don’t understand how little alcohol it takes to impair their judgment and coordination, and many are oblivious to the ramifications of their actions. If every high school gave yearly seminars on DUIs that included how little alcohol it takes to qualify, what the penalties are, and the lives at risk, people would be less likely to get behind the wheel after drinking.
These are a few of the many ways to lower the amount of DUIs in the country.
Donovan Campbell is a freelance writer based in Omaha, Nebraska who traditionally focuses on car mechanics, auto accidents, auto body repair, car modifications and upgrade, traffic law and so forth. To learn more about repair and modification visit the Phoenix fleet repair from Capitol Collision.