Friday, December 11, 2009

Drinking and the Law

Let me start by being very clear! I have no issue with proper use of alochol and drinking, personally I enjoy JD and light beer. However I do have a problem with drinking and driving (OUI/DWI), and more concern about underage drinking. Having been hit head on a few years ago by a drunk driver going the wrong way on a one way street and the surgery our family went through - see no reason in this day and age not to be responsible and make a plan before you drink, especially if you know you are going to need a ride. I noticed youth in our community, under the age of 21, drinking and driving on what is getting to be a regular basis. I don't know, short of calling the law, what we can do for education to our youth that will hit home the point of one - don't drink underage and two don't drink and drive - period. I understand the voting age is 18, driving is age 16 and if in the military you could be stationed in country that has a lower drinking age than 21. I have heard about every education point on underage drinking and driving there is, lectures, mock accidents, fake trials, posters, family loss and a long list. The only thing that seems to have some impact is contactig the parents or the law. At times neither can be pleasent - but if the alochol comes from home or is condoned it creates a bigger problem. I am thinking is I shoot a deer at night, I get a minimum $1,000 fine, loss of firearm, vehicle and right to hunt for a while. If I get caught underage it a small fire and driving drunk get maybe $500 fine, a few hours community service work or 48 hours in jail. Maybe if we looked at increasing the penalty to say $1,000 and loss of the vehicle (seize it) folks would think twice about drinking and driving. This is a subject that many don't like to talk about and certainly not in a small town - but the issue is here and we need to think of an action plan, before we attend services for one of our youth! Any new ideas on education?

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