As no secret driving drunk / intoxicated (e. g. drugs) impairs you & puts others at risk should it be treated as a permeated crime & harsh punishment?

[HuntingGal]

Years ago my aunt's entire family was killed by a repeat drunk driver offender who didn't have a license for years, had been in and out of jail (short term) for his offenses, etc. 2 years ago an entire family - father, mother, & 4 kids - were killed by a drunk driver who fled scene.

And there's many other cases like this of a drunk killing someone or causing serious bodily harm. Most times because they are impaired & don't comprehend what is going on (don't tense up) intoxicated drivers escape even sometimes serious accidents with minimal injury.

.

There are SOOOO many ways of getting places - cab, Lyft, Uber, etc. - when intoxicated nowadays that there is zero excuse to be driving a wheel while you are indeed intoxicated.

Should drunks be treated as permeated criminals and receive far more harshly than they are.

Personally I say yes.

Personally I'm of the view if a repeat - and this is the most typical offender because they just don't care - drunk driver kills someone they are imprisoned for life or where it exists receive capital punishment / death.

Updates

+1 y

* driving a vehicle

[SaoirseS]

Penalties for driving drunk here are quite severe, especially if it results in injury or death.

[HuntingGal]

What is it? Most places it's a suspended license or a minimal amount of time in jail.

[SaoirseS]

It depends on the offender’s history, level of impairment, and severity of outcome. A first time offender arrested for DUI will automatically lose their license, pay a heavy fine, have to undergo counseling at their expense, and face possible jail time. A former high school classmate of mine was sentenced to 39 years for a DUI hit and run. If a person’s impairment from alcohol is a contributor to a fatality, charges are elevated to second degree murder.

[DarkLegacy]

That is terrible, im sorry to hear that. Of course they should face a lengthy jail time, in the UK the maximum sentence for killing someone by dangerous driving has been increased to a life sentence.

[Wise4myage]

Yes, in many instances, drunks get off far too easily.

[Guy13]

It is harsh punishment where I live.

[HuntingGal]

What is it? Most places it's a suspended license or a minimal amount of time in jail.