Our system is based on the following presumptions:
– There are Drunk Drivers out there.
– Drunk Drivers kill thousands of people on the highways.
The system of DUI Laws that we have here in Illinois is designed to revoke the license of drivers who are convicted of DUI. The problem is, revoking a driver’s license doesn’t effectively remove drivers from the road. In today’s society a person doesn’t live next to the grocery store, clothing store, social gathering spot, school, church etc. One has to drive to these places.
If you revoke someone’s driving privileges, they still have to drive to these places. And life experience suggests that they will drive whether they have a driver’s license or not.
We also, arrest drunk drivers. We put them in jail. This costs us a lot of money in prosecution fees, money to maintain and build jails, judge’s salaries, etc.
But there is a simpler way of handling this dangerous mess. When we stop a driver who the officer has reason to believe is driving under the influence, the officer should call to have the person’s car towed to the place that installs BAIID (Breath Ignition Interlock Devices), and require that they can’t retrieve their car until a BAIID device is installed. After that, we have the person agree to not consume alcohol while the BAIID is in their car (for six months). If no alcohol shows up in the BAIID device within six months, then they can get the device taken out of their car. If some alcohol use shows up, we extend the BAIID device for another six months. If alcohol keeps showing up the suspension keeps getting extended thus problems solved:
A. Their car won’t start … so that solves the Drunk Driving problem
B. They will never get to drive without a BAIID, they will be able to drive (NON DRUNK) and we monitor them.
(we also require a BAIID in any car that they drive).
The savings from this program include the cost of jails, hearing officers for the Secretary of State, Judges, police officers .. Oh, and we can make some money by making the drivers pay us for the BAIID in their car.
Problem solved. Your welcome.
Law Dude, Ray Flavin, Trial Attorney in McHenry County Illinois. His law offices are located across the street from the McHenry County IL Courthouse in Woodstock, IL. Visit Ray’s other website @ www.rayflavin.com.
(I sure am going to miss all of those ridiculous DUI commercials, and the weird way that we try to define alcohol impairment … and all of the DUI victims groups, and alcohol counselors and …….)
Mobile: 815-334-9004
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