There are two basic parts to these ideas, one public and one private. The public piece has to do with enforcement, adjudication and incarceration of drunk drivers. The private part has to do with providing people who drink with reasonable accommodation and a viable alternative to driving while intoxicated.

PUBLIC

1.     Standardization of BAC. (Blood alcohol content)

Because there is a discrepancy among various jurisdictions as to what is acceptable evidence of blood alcohol content, there must be a statewide mechanism for determining the BAC of an alleged offender.

2.     Pleading DUI to lesser offenses such as Negligent Driving

Once a standardized BAC mechanism is in place, there should no longer be a reason to plea down DUI cases

3.     Sentencing guidelines for DUI, vehicular homicide and assault

• 1^st offense: DUI, 30 days minimum. While incarcerated offender must attend four victim impact panels. One year with ignition interlock device and 2 years probation.
• 2^nd offense: 6 months minimum. 2 year suspension of driver’s license.
• 3^rd and subsequent offenses 5 years minimum,  permanent suspension of driving privileges in Washington State.
• Driving on suspended or revoked license because of DUI: 10 years minimum.
• Vehicular homicide due to DUI, minimum 10 years per count.
• Vehicular assault due to DUI, 5 years minimum.
• In cases of multiple counts of Vehicular homicide OR assault, all counts to be served consecutively.

FUNDING

All the above will be funded by a tax on alcoholic beverages, earmarked specifically FOR enforcement, adjudication, incarceration AND education regarding DUI. Those who consume the product should pay for that product’s consequences on society.

PRIVATE

Industries related to production, distribution and serving of alcohol and related/affected industries such as the auto/life/medical insurance industries, and including the automotive and oil industries, should be encouraged by the legislature, BOTH Houses, BOTH parties to form a foundation or 501C3 to provide reasonable accommodation to people who find them selves impaired and unable to legally drive home.

1.     The private funding raised by this entity would be used to set up a statewide network of dispatchers hooked to a toll-free number such as: 1-800-for-free.

2.     Two people would show up; one to drive the impaired person, one to follow in the person’s car.

3.     There would have to be qualifiers of course. To qualify:

• The driver would have to blow at least a .08 BAC breath sample. (Not for evidence, just to prove impairment.)
• The first ten miles would be free and after that the cost would be minimal, such as a buck a mile or less.
• The impaired driver would have to sign a release stating that they would not drive again until they are sober.

4.     The vehicles could be donated by auto dealerships for a tax write off, the fuel could be donated by oil companies. (It’s not like they couldn’t use a PR boost at this time.)

5.     In addition to providing rides home, the foundation/501C3 could engage in educational activities and write/produce PSAs (public service announcements) to be disseminated to all forms of media to make drunk driving totally unacceptable and unhip.

The benefits to any entity who participates in this effort are HUGE:

• The increase in profits to the insurance industry due to less pay-outs for collision/injury/death benefits.
• The beverage liquor industry because people would be more inclined to consume their “product” if they didn’t fear the consequences of arrest BECAUSE they consume the product.
• The hospitality industry would see a massive increase in their business because people wouldn’t be as scared to go out, much less the decreased liability they would have IF this system were readily available.

The other HUGE benefit would be a public relations bonanza for these industries. Instead of a short blurb at the end of an alcohol ad: “Please drink responsibly,” they could say something like, “We value you as a customer and we will help you get home safe.” In other words, they could stop talking about it and actually DO something about it.

Points to Consider

• The public aspect of these ideas is a REACTIVE response to drunk driving AFTER the consumer has made the decision to drive impaired.
• It is paid for NOT by an ever-shrinking State general fund, but by those who choose to consume alcohol.
• The private aspect is a PROACTVE response to drunk driving. It helps to keep impaired drivers off our roads BEFORE they can hurt or kill us.

o      Not one CENT would come out of the State’s budget.

• These measures are designed to get impaired drivers off our roads, whatever it takes. NO other family should be met by law enforcement officials at their door asking “Are you the parents of…?”