To the Editor: MADD is saddened by the two alleged drunk driving crashes in Warwick. One crash killed a man, while the other injured five people, two of whom are our greatest resource and our future, children. Our hearts are with the victims and the
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To the Editor:
MADD is saddened by the two alleged drunk driving crashes in Warwick. One crash killed a man, while the other injured five people, two of whom are our greatest resource and our future, children. Our hearts are with the victims and the families of this 100 percent preventable and violent crime.
The needless death and injuries in the devastating crashes are the reason why MADD advocates for passing strong laws and backing them up with strong law enforcement. We urge everyone to plan ahead if their plans include consuming alcohol to prevent these tragedies.
Eric Creamer
State Executive Director
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Rhode Island, State Office
Providence
3 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
RISchadenfreude
DUI/DWI sentencing needs an overhaul, but that is unlikely to happen in RI where litigation is king- too many attorneys in the General Assembly.
Stiffen the sentences, increase fines, increase mandatory minimums and run sentences consecutively, not concurrently, particularly for repeat offenders; eliminate plea bargains, particularly if they strike a pedestrian, occupied vehicle, or occupied structure.
Also, NO WAY should a person be arrested for a fourth, fifth, etc., offense and STILL have a license and not have served a term in prison and/or have their license revoked permanently.
Unfortunately, however, you'll never be able to legislate away alcoholism, substance abuse or, more often than not, stupidity.
Friday, March 10, 2017 Report this
davebarry109
All well and good. But when someone is drinking, they quickly lose their ability to decide not to drive. There isn't a way to prevent someone who is drinking to not drive once they get to a certain point.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017 Report this
RISchadenfreude
davebarry109,
As a community, we all need to take responsibility- if the drinker is a friend or family, we need to speak up and stop them. If we see an impaired driver or an impaired individual on the road or about to drive, get the pertinent information and contact the police- I've done this on numerous occasions and have always gotten a police response. You can follow the vehicle until police begin to follow the driver and remain anonymous, or stick around to give a statement- your call.
There is a device which requires the driver to submit a breath sample to start the vehicle; eventually this device will be cheap enough to mount on the vehicle for all offenders and perhaps its use will become more universal.
I had a friend long ago who insisted I return his keys so he could drive, in spite of being more intoxicated than when he gave me the keys in the first place. When I "accidentally" dropped the keys and he bent over to get them, I kneed him in the forehead, knocking him down...whoops!
Monday, April 3, 2017 Report this