Each year, thousands of Americans (and others) are killed/maimed by drunk drivers. And yet, as a country, we do nothing about it that actually works.
Most recently here locally, this is one of the results of this nation's obvious indifference to our plight.
In this instance, according to the accompanying the article from the Vancouver, WA Police Department, one pedestrian died at the scene and another died a few days later.
The DUI driver was charged with DUI, Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Assault, and Reckless Driving'
He'll get a few years and a fine, if that. Run someone over/hit another car and kill someone with your car? It's "vehicular manslaughter."
Pull up next to them and use a gun? It's murder.
The outcomes are the same.
To me, there's no difference. Also, to me, I support making it illegal to drive after you've drank ANY alcohol... and you should be tried for attempted murder if you do.
We message everyone: "Do not drink and drive," and then we make it legal to do the very thing we tell people NOT to do. And thousands die every year as victims of DUI drivers while we continue to do nothing about it.
Obviously the sentences are not nearly enough to provide a deterrent.
Make the BAC 0.00. ANYTHING over that level would be considered DUI.
1. ONE DUI without accident? Lose your driver's license for life. Confiscate and sell the driver's vehicle. Take proceeds and put them into a DUI victims fund. 364 days in jail.
2. DUI WITH accident? See above. Five years in prison, DUI driver must pay ALL costs, reimbursing insurance as well, even if that requires seizure and sale of all assets.
3. DUI WITH injury? Both 1 and 2, increase sentence to 20 years.
4. DUI WITH death(s)? Both 1 and 2 and life in prison.
As a country, we either want to END DUI or we don't.
At this point?
It's pretty clear we don't.

