For the second time this year, someone I knew was killed by a drunk driver,  The first was Heather Boyum, a high school teacher, mother of two and triathlete.  She was out riding her bicycle one Sunday morning when she was struck not only by a drunk motorcyclist but also by his drunk girlfriend in a car.  The second happened this past Sunday on an unguarded section of the Amherst bike path that runs alongside Tonawanda Creek Rd.  A drunk motorcyclist went off the road and killed 2, one of which was someone I knew from the gym, Shelia Pelton.  When will it end?

Sadly, we as a society allows those who have little regard for their actions the right to defend those actions.  The laws are just too lenient for those who choose to drink and drive.  I googled “NYS drunk driving convictions” and after 10 minutes of reading and scanning, I am still in a fog as to how much convictions it takes to permanent take away someone’s right to drive.  Whether its 2, 3 or 5 someone is still going to get behind the wheel because nothing will stop them.  There just aren’t enough police to enforce the law and the ACLU will have a field day with any attempt to make it difficult to start a vehicle.  Maybe some will smarten up and reform themselves but still, it only takes one stupid asshole to snuff out the life of a loved one or friend.

It’s about time we toughen up the laws.  YOU drive drunk, YOU impact someone’s life, YOU pay the price.  Take a look at the laws in Japan.

1. Driving Under the Influence, BAC .08 or higher

• Previous maximum sentence: Imprisonment with hard labor not to exceed 3 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 yen  ($6,000)
• New maximum: Imprisonment with hard labor not to exceed 5 years or fine not exceeding 1,000,000 ($12,000) yen.

2. Driving While Impaired, BAC .03 to .79

• Previous maximum sentence: Imprisonment with hard labor not to exceed 1 year or a fine not exceeding 300,000 ($3,800)  yen
• New maximum: Imprisonment with hard labor not to exceed 3 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 ($6,000) yen

3. Providing an intoxicated person with a vehicle (new law)

• Maximum sentence: Same punishment as a drunken driver receives shall be applied.

4. Providing a person with alcohol who subsequently gets a DUI or DWI (new law)

• Maximum sentence: Imprisonment with hard labor not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 ($6,000) yen for DUI; 2 years imprisonment, 300,000 yen ($3,800) fine for DWI

5. Riding as passengers in a vehicle operated by an intoxicated person (new law)

• Maximum sentence: Imprisonment with hard labor not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 ($6,000) yen for DUI; 2 years imprisonment, 300,000 yen ($3,800) fine for DWI

6. Rejecting balloon (sobriety) test

• Previous maximum punishment: Fine not exceeding 300,000 ($3,800) yen
• New maximum: Confinement not exceeding 3 months or fine not exceeding 500,000 ($6,000) yen

7. Hit and run

• Previous maximum sentence: Confinement not exceeding 5 years or fine not exceeding 500,000 ($6,000) yen
• New maximum: Confinement not exceeding 10 years or fine not exceeding 1,000,000 ($12,000) yen

 

It’s about time lawmakers stop fiddling around with civil liberties and its about time lawyers stop taking advantage of loopholes and legal maneuvers to protect killers.  Throw the scum in jail and toss the key.  Heck, reopen Alcatraz for these low-lifers!  If we had done this a long time ago, maybe innocent people like Heather Boyum and Sheila Pelton will still be among us today.