OUR OPINION
Aim anti-DUI efforts at average people
THE ISSUE
A Hawaii study shows that traffic collisions involving alcohol are more severe when involving drivers with lower blood alcohol.
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EFFORTS at discouraging average people from drinking and driving are credited for the reduction in drunk driving, and a Hawaii study calls for a strengthening of the strategy. Findings that drivers are actually less likely to be involved in collisions
the more intoxicated they are supports the approach.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving calls for tougher laws by sentencing first offenders with a blood-alcohol content of at least 0.15 -- nearly twice the legal threshold for intoxication -- as repeat offenders. Such a penalty probably would have relatively little effect on the alcohol-related collisions, according to a study conducted under the auspices of Hawaii's attorney general.
The study found, among other things, that the average blood-alcohol content of drivers involved in alcohol-related accidents is "significantly lower" in those that result in injury, decreasing as the severity of the injury increases.
The content of those involved in 83 mishaps resulting in no injury averaged 0.158, while the 21 in accidents resulting in minor injuries treated at the scene was 0.144, and the 43 in accidents resulting in someone being taken to a hospital was 0.115.
People involved in the issue explain that a car's speed is "the most powerful predictor" of whether injury will result from a driver having imbibed, according to the study. Drivers with high blood-alcohol content are aware of their condition and thus try to compensate while driving slower. Likewise, those with less alcohol in their system will confidently drive faster and more recklessly.
The best way to catch drunk drivers before they crash was implemented last year in a program to spread sobriety checkpoints throughout the year instead of confining them to holidays. Those roadblocks, publicity and police patrolling of streets and highways have proven effective.
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