Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Looks Like We Can't Afford To Get Repeat OWI Offenders Off The Roads

A report says tougher penalties for repeat OWI offenders will break the bank.

And what are the costs to families, employers and society-at-large of not removing multiple-offense OWI defendants from the roads?

Maybe we should put new signs at the state's highway border crossings that say "Welcomes Repeat OWI Offenders, You Misdemeanant Rascals!"

1 comment:

Jim Bouman said...

Higher fines. Starting with first offense. Multiplying with subsequent offenses. The drunk driver is the cause of the problem; make the drunk driver the financially responsible party for remedying the problem.

Eventually, the deterrent effect will cause a decrease in the incidence of drunk driving--fewer deaths and injuries, fewer instances of property damage, less need for heavy enforcement. The $100 million spent attacking root problems MAY eventually be source of savings of public dollars.

AND EVEN IF IT DOESN'T...IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

And there's always the logical-but-difficult choice: increase liquor and beer taxes and apply the proceeds to enforcement.