I It's a common stereotype of North Dakota that all we do is wear flannel, drive trucks, listen to country music and drink beer. Although there may be some truth to those funny stereotypes, the DUI and fatality rates are nothing to laugh about. In 2011, there were 4,836 driving under the influence arrests which is roughly 13 arrests a day; of those, 27 were individuals under the age of 18.Over the last 10 years, the DUI rates have gone up dramatically. In 2011, there were 64 fatal accidents that involved alcohol impaired driving (http://www.centurycouncil.org/state-facts).
Also, during my internship experience this summer with FPD I learned that Fargo's DUI rates have been on the rise.It could be due to the large college population located close to the downtown bars or the police officers are out there and more aware of the problem so they are seeing more. Driving while intoxicated or even "buzzed" directly affects my field because it creates a lot of effort on law enforcement's part to be aware and catch these people before they cause harm to themselves or others.
A popular activity among teenagers and college students who are close to rural areas are frequently participating in what is known as "booze cruising" which is drinking and driving out on back roads with multiple people in the vehicle. Things like this are extremely dangerous and can have devastating results. It effects me in the parole and probation aspect because multiple offenders end up seeing jail time and are often likely to re offend after they get out. It is the job of a parole and probation officer to make sure the individual they are in charge of succeeds and doesn't commit a crime again so there is a lot of pressure there.
DUI's and driving while under the influence of any narcotic or alcohol not only endangers the lives of the public, it endangers the lives of the driver and or any passengers as well as the police officers, highway patrol or any other law enforcement agencies that are out on the roads. Things like this lead to stories like the one of the West Fargo family, the Deutscher's. They were struck by a drunk driver and Aaron, Allison, their 1 and a half year old daughter Brielle and their unborn baby all died.
 |
| Deutscher Family Vehicle |
North Dakota Penalties:
n
1st Offense
- Class B misdemeanor
$500 fine if below .16
Two days imprisonment and $750 fine if .16 or greater
Addiction evaluation
91 day suspension if below .18
180 day suspension if .18 or greater
2nd Offense in 7 years
Class B misdemeanor
Ten days imprisonment and $1,500 fine
Addiction evaluation
One year in the 24/7 program
365 day suspension if below .18
Two year suspension if .18 or greater
- 3rd Offense in 7 years
- Class A misdemeanor
- 120 days imprisonment and $2,000 fine
- Addiction evaluation
- One year supervised probation
- One year in the 24/7 program
- Two year suspension if below .18
- Three year suspension if .18 or greater
- 4th and Subsequent Offenses
- Class C felony
- One year and one day imprisonment and $2,000 fine
- Addiction evaluation
- Two years supervised probation
- Two years in the 24/7 program
- Additional
Refusal to submit to blood, breath, urine or on-site test is a crime and will result in a minimum of 180 days up to three years revocation of driving privileges.
Criminal Vehicular Injury up to five years imprisonment.
Criminal Vehicular Homicide up to 20 years imprisonment.
Additional penalties may include a $100 operator license reinstatement fee, SR-22 filing (high risk insurance), and impoundment of the motor vehicle license plates or seizure of the motor vehicle.
Some really hard hitting images in this post... I think drunk driving is one of the most selfish things a person can do. You are putting so many people at risk when you drive drunk and you are so susceptible to completely ruining the lives of yourself and others on the road (and their families). I know it is rather extreme, but I feel that the penalty for driving drunk (even if you don't hurt anybody) should be much higher. If the penalty is a few years in prison even if it's your first offense, I think people would attempt to do it a lot less, and at the same time, it's good not to let them back on the road.
ReplyDeleteAs a person directly affected by booze cruising I can whole heartedly agree with your statement above. However fun it may seem there are very harsh consequences.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of imagery here. Really brings the point home right off of the bat. I think that too many young people don't view the penalties for driving drunk as stiff enough, as well as not believing that they could truly injure someone by driving buzzed themselves. It is a universal state of self denial if you ask me, and that is a dangerous culture to live in.
ReplyDeleteDriving while drunk is a very dangerous practice that many people unfortunately practice and I believe that the penalties are at the right level. I believe more focus needs to be put catching people drunk driving so the publics perception changes to the idea that most drunk drivers are caught and that if you do drink and drive you will most likely get caught instead of what I think right now is a slight chance to get caught.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are enough to make someone not drive drunk. They are very grim and personally, I don't understand why people do it. Drunken decision making is definitely not the best, but when you can kill innocent people or yourself, it makes no sense no matter how impaired you are. Honestly, I think that the punishments should be harsher for drunk driving in order to scare people into not doing it. As you put in your post, it takes 4 times to become a felon. In some countries in Europe, if you get caught once, you will never have a license again in your life. I think that this is a bit extreme, but our laws are too lenient.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this article. I get angry each time I see an article in the newspaper about drunk driving accidents. As someone who has and will continue to live in ND, I fear for the safety of my friends and family while they are on the roads. I wish there was some way to get people to stop driving while drunk, but the only safe thing I can do is continue to drive defensively.
ReplyDeleteSeeing pictures like this always makes my heart drop a little bit. I remember the mock crash that we had in high school that resulted from a drunk driver. It's something that is so terrible, and so easily avoidable. Having one person be a designated driver is so simple. Even calling a taxi is easy, and 100% safer than thinking you can make it home just this one time. There is no reason you should be putting your life, and the lives of those around you, in risk because you had a few drinks and decided driving would be a good idea.
ReplyDelete