A recently released report by MADD has rated Washington State a 3 out of 5 on DUI prevention
MADD recently released its 2011 national report card, scoring each of the fifty states according to their commitment to keeping drunk drivers off the road. The five stars are each based on a different aspect of DUI control: ignition interlock for first time offenders, sobriety checkpoints, administrative license revocation, child endangerment laws and no refusal. Washington employs three of these methods: ignition interlock (breathalyzers attached to ignitions on vehicles), administrative license revocation (an arresting officer can take the license of the offender) and child endangerment laws (the penalties for a DUI increase if there is a child in the vehicle.) The two methods that Washington does not participate in are sobriety checkpoints (random checkpoints where officers will check vehicles to make sure drivers are not intoxicated) and no-refusal events (when offenders refuse to submit to a blood alcohol content test during the event, there will be a judge on call who can issue an immediate warrant for a blood draw.)
Whether or not these tactics would drastically reduce drunk driving in Washington State is difficult to say without implementation. It is certain that drunk driving is a problem, as Washington has the fourth highest DUI fatality rate in the nation. Though MADD praised the state for our comprehensive ignition interlock system, they suggested adding the other two tactics to further reduce DUI rates. Sobriety checkpoints are a proven method of reducing DUI rates, and even better it is an extremely cheap method of prevention. It saves the state money on processing and implementing penalties for drunk driving. As effective as ignition interlock might be, it is also very expensive to maintain. In these tough economic times, it seems like a simple and cost-effective way to save lives in our state. Of course, the cheapest way to prevent drunk driving is to simply not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking. Boost the economy by calling a cab, or call a friend and save some money on gas and you could save a life!
