| Are DUI laws too tough? Consider the following:o In | | | | But, it's no secret that DUI laws have gotten much |
| Arizona, Illinois, Louisana and New Mexico, first time DUI | | | | stricter in the past decade, due in large part to the |
| offenders are required to install ignition interlock | | | | efforts of organizations like Mothers Against Drunk |
| devises.o Arizona has created a "Super Extreme" | | | | Driving (MADD). The maximum blood alcohol level has |
| classification for DUI offenders with blood alcohol | | | | dropped from .1 to .08 meaning more people are |
| content of .2 percent. The minimum sentence for a | | | | "caught" driving drunk. |
| first time "Super Extreme" DUI is 45 days in county | | | | Additionally, police have targets of catching a certain |
| jail.o In states such as Georgia and Florida, a fourth | | | | number of people on a DUI during a given shift. They |
| conviction is automatically a felony offense with a | | | | will stop people on minor infractions looking to "catch" a |
| minimum of one year prison time.o In South Carolina, a | | | | drunk driver - even if his driving wasn't impaired. |
| fourth time offender could serve seven years in | | | | As a result, ordinary people who are not endangering |
| prison.o Georgia requires all first time offenders to go | | | | others are getting caught in a web of loosing their |
| through a court ordered alcohol dependence evaluation | | | | driver's license, paying large fines and increases in |
| and subsequent counseling that is very strict. | | | | insurance premiums, community service, alcohol |
| So, are these DUI laws too tough? | | | | programs, and even jail. |
| Some consider that because there are more than | | | | No one wants another child to die as the result of a |
| 15,000 alcohol related deaths each year, no law can be | | | | drunken driver. But one has to wonder if DUI laws are |
| tough enough. | | | | too tough now. |