Let's get the facts out there...

DUI Statisics -

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced record-breaking alcohol-related traffic fatality numbers— the highest in 10 years.*

In 2006, an estimated 17,602 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes—an average of one every 30 minutes. These deaths constitute 41 percent of the 42,642 total traffic fatalities. Of these, an estimated 13,470 involved a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater).*

About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.*

Of the over 159 million alcohol-impaired driving trips estimated that Americans took in last year, over ten percent (18 million trips) were made by 18-20 year olds.*

The rate of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes is more than 3 times higher at night than during the day (59 percent vs. 18 percent). For all crashes, the alcohol involvement rate is 5 times higher at night (16 percent vs. 3 percent).*

Alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion each year, including $51.1 billion in monetary costs and an estimated $63.2 billion in quality of life losses. People other than the drinking driver paid $71.6 billion of the alcohol-related crash bill, which is 63 percent of the total cost of these crashes.*

So now you have the statistics, I should seem Ironic that we have the highest traffic fatality numbers in 10 years as the DUI laws are becoming increasingly harsher. The question I ask is harsher for whom? I am not minimizing the need for strictly enforced DUI laws. Actually, its just the opposite. I belive that the laws should be harsh for this type of flagrently selfish behavior. My issue is with who these laws truely punish. As all state laws are different, I will be examining some general provisions that most states have included in their DUI laws.

Mandatory AA meetings - I don't understand the reasoning behind this being placed as a requirement in DUI cases. The mission of AA is to help alcoholics that want help...even if they don't succeed...they want the help and are at a point where they know that they need to quit. I understand that hearing these stories may motivate some to stop drinking. However...for the most part, this does nothing to stop those who are mandated to stop drinking. It takes from the value of a meeting when you are forcing people, who have no desire to be there, to go to this type of meeting.

Loss of Drivers Licence - I understand this and I have mixed feelings on this particular punishment. I know that this has to be done, but this does not punish the offender as much as it punishes the family & friends of the offender. I will give you an example. An offender looses their driving privleges, but still needs to get to work. So then what happens...It falls to the friends and family of the offender to make sure that not only they get to work or school...but also that the offender gets to work.

So now comes my opinion...I think that mandatory jail time(even for 1st offense) would be better. I know that this would cause hardships for the offender and the family also, but the majority of the punishment would be to the actual offender.

I have seen this within my house along with friends. I will let you know that this is just my opinion and anyone who disagrees with me...I would love to hear your opinion. The more conversations there are out there about this topic the better. I am not one to say that my opinion is right...I may even change my opinon if someone has a bette solution...so lets here them.

*Statistics provided by scene of the accident click here to check out the amazing information they have on their site.