Many would say it’s common knowledge that drunk driving is against the law — but why do so many Hoosiers take the chance and get behind the wheel intoxicated?
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation fatalities in drunk driving crashes has decreased over 40 percent since 1982, but many believe more can be done to educate the public about drunk driving.
For starters, all Hoosiers should know that the alcohol limit in Indiana is .08 and actually, you can be arrested at .06 or above. Sgt. Paul Thompson of IMPD states some of the common clues a person has been driving while intoxicated include failure to dim high beam lights, following too closely, excessive high or low speed, weaving or crossing the centerline.
“The officers are always looking for intoxicated drivers,” said Thompson.
Whether intentionally drinking too much or having one too many drinks, advocates against drunk driving urge drinkers to have a plan and find an alternative to transportation.
Thompson states while a cab ride home can cost you about $50 or less, if arrested with a DUI (driving under the influence) it’ll cost between $1,000 and $2,000 in attorney fees to plead guilty. If a person wants a good defense it’ll probably cost between $5,000 and $10,000.
“You have to pay court fees, lawyer fees, you’ve missed time from work. If you hurt or kill someone, yourself, or someone you love in your vehicle; you can’t even put a price tag on that,” said Kitty Green executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Indiana.
For a DUI, consequences can also include a combination of a year in jail, a $5,000 fine, having your license suspended for up to a year (if no one’s hurt) and probation.
While organizations like the Marion County Traffic Safety Partnership are working to spread the word, many are going the extra mile to eliminate drunk driving.
In particular IMPD partners with the Marion County Traffic Safety Partnership to sponsor drunk driving blitzes, which has increased over time, to decrease drunk driving statistics. Marion County Traffic Safety Partnership has also had a successful media campaign warning people of the subject and its newest topic, buzz driving.
On the state level MADD is working with legislation to strengthen the OWI (operating while intoxicated) laws. They are also working with other state and federal entities as well as car manufacturers on installing ignition interlock systems in cars of first time drunk driving offenders and eventually standard in all vehicles.
“A hard license revocation and suspension is a good tool, but it’s only one tool in the box. It’s not enough especially when there’s another proven method with the ignition interlock to keep offenders from driving after drinking,” said Green.
MADD, which is not a prohibitionist organization, also has a nationally recognized anti-drinking program, school curriculum, Youth in Action teams for high school student and the UMADD program for college students. They also give lectures to those under 21 about not drinking.
Green is proud of the programs and initiatives MADD has been able to achieve, but she believes the best tool against drunk driving is the community taking a stance and getting involved.
“If you see your friend getting ready to get behind the wheel, you have a responsibility to say ‘don’t,’” said Green. “In Indianapolis we’ve got a lot on our plate like the property tax issue, the new mayor, and the police merger but we need to make drunk driving a priority.”
For more information, call the Marion County Traffic Safety Partnership at (317) 327-5356 or MADD at (317) 781-6233 or visit www.madd.org/in.
