Drunk Driving Accidents- are we to Harsh?

For those who thought we could all agree in principal on something – that one idea would be universally accepted – think again. In all my years of practicing personal injury law I believed that everyone, everywhere thought that driving while intoxicated is wrong. Sure, it still happens all the time.

Some statistics place the number of fatalities due to drunk driving accidents at 60% of all those killed. Basically, people know that it’s wrong and a bad idea but when they are under the influence of alcohol they tend to make poor choices – one’s they might not otherwise make if sober.

Well, I was wrong (something I’m not apt to say often voluntarily!). There is a group of people out there who are concerned about recent stricter drunken driving laws that were enacted in their area! Of late, Canada has put tougher impaired driving laws into place and it has some Canadians mad !

According to reports, these new requirements “drivers caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher or those who refuse to give a breath sample will:

Get a three-month driving ban. Get a $500 administrative penalty, and a $250 driver’s license reinstatement fee. Have their vehicle impounded for 30 days. Have to pay for the towing and impoundment costs Have to pay for the mandatory use of an ignition interlock device for one year. Face possible criminal charges.

Now, there’s no doubt in my mind that if you or someone you know has been a victim of a drunk driver then these penalties may not even seem stiff enough. But some Canadians see it otherwise. They believe this process tips the scales of justice unfairly against the accused, without providing for a day in court.

Recently, in Houston and Texas we have seen very long sentences for causing a fatal accident when intoxicated, including a 60 year sentence.  Quite a change from a State that just a few years ago many opposed making open containers illegal!

Greg Baumgartner is a Houston drunk driving accident lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping injury victims seek civil justice. For a free no obligation consultation with a Houston drunk driving accident attorney call the Baumgartner firm.