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Let's Do Away With Drunk-Driving Laws

Essay: They actually make roads more dangerous

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 14, 2010 1:40 PM CDT | Updated Oct 16, 2010 7:00 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Laws against drunken driving are admirable in intent, but a case can be made (with stats to back it up) that they actually make our roads less safe, argues Radley Balko in Reason. Measuring blood-alcohol levels is misguided given the vast differences in how individuals handle their booze. Police, meanwhile, waste manpower at DWI checkpoints (civil liberties violations are a whole other can of worms) to snag people at the arbitrary 0.08 level instead of patrolling the roads for drivers who are, in fact, driving dangerously.

Solution: Do away with DWI laws, which sounds "radical" but actually isn't, writes Balko. "If our ultimate goals are to reduce driver impairment and maximize highway safety, we should be punishing reckless driving. It shouldn't matter if it's caused by alcohol, sleep deprivation, prescription medication, text messaging, or road rage. If lawmakers want to stick it to dangerous drivers who threaten everyone else on the road, they can dial up the civil and criminal liability for reckless driving, especially in cases that result in injury or property damage."

A DWI checkpoint.
A DWI checkpoint.   (Flickr)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 93 comments
shdwolf1
Oct 17, 2010 8:21 AM CDT
some valid points, to be sure. Unfortunately, ppl aren't reading the article, or are putting their own spin on the arguments made. Yes, some kind of test to determine impairment is needed, but I believe it already exists in current traffic laws....ie: if a cop currently sees a car speeding, or weaving, he pulls it over to ticket for reckless driving. If the presence of alcohol is determined, additional charges should be leveled. So, where do checkpoints validity come in? Why stop anyone who is not driving recklessly? Answer: MONEY. States won't stop checkpoints, not because they save lives, but because they generate revenue for the city, county, and state! If it were truly about saving lives, people driving recklessly would be pulled over more, and more cops would be pulled off checkpoints and actually put into traffic to observe everyone's driving, the true measure of impairment.
cornelison
Oct 16, 2010 9:53 PM CDT
Let's do away with cars. All public transportation, less fuel needed, less road repairs, less traffic cops, less cluttered traffic court, fewer drunks in prisons and more people not dying on the road.
stevsie
Oct 16, 2010 8:53 PM CDT
i can't believe i just read that.. finally some sensible newser news.

 
drunk driving • DWI • distracted driving

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