I often mention to folks that I am so poor I can’t even pay attention. I also like to share with others that the main problems with America are ignorance and apathy, but I don’t know, and I don’t care. Yes, I understand that these are old jokes, and I don’t know how to tell a joke.

I want you to continue reading anyway because I am going to talk about a problem worse than gun violence. It has been a problem longer than Covid-19 and has been like the frog in the pot. You do not know about the frog? You cannot boil a frog as you do pasta. You must put him in the pot first. Add lukewarm water and turn the heat on low. If nothing scares him, he sits there and boils to death.

Yes, we are frogs, and this perpetual problem is not getting any better. Many years ago, I started telling people that we needed to change laws to make this problem more manageable. What kills all these innocent people, and our society does not want to take any steps to try to control it?

The problem is driving while under the influence. When I began complaining about this situation it was mostly drunk drivers. I witnessed an accident involving such a driver. I gave my contact information to the police and the victims. I was at the court for the trial and a plea bargain was made.

What angered me was the fact that it was his third offense of this type. He also did not have a valid driver’s license. The car he was in was not his. A friend had given him permission to drive. Witnesses had to stop him and a passenger from walking or staggering away from the accident. 

What can be done to stop these offenses? On the first arrest, they should be required to spend time in public service. Preferably in a hospital or clinic that serves those injured in automobile accidents. They need to be shown what their actions cause. They should also be obliged to attend therapy sessions. If they complete this, they should be allowed to drive again with a device on the car that prevents it from starting if they are intoxicated.

The second offense should carry more public service and therapy. A longer suspended or revoked period on the driver’s license. Driving without a valid license should include permanent confiscation of the vehicle they are driving. The machine should be sold, and the proceeds used to compensate victims of these types of collisions. If they are not the owners, the police should look for a stolen vehicle report. Anyone who allows a DUI recipient to use their car should be warned that if it happens a second time, they will lose their transportation.

A third offense should require mandatory jail time and permanent exclusion from driving. We must stop being lenient on these offenses. Our legislature should be required to enact stricter laws on driving under the influence. This is even more important now that the recreational use of marijuana has been legitimized.

If legislators do not vote for increased penalties these folks should be removed from their positions. We also should investigate their background and stop them from being reelected, if there is any inappropriate use of alcohol or other substances. Those who would have reason to fear these restrictions do not need to be responsible for putting them in place. Stop the stupidity.

©Copyright 2023 by Charles Kensinger