A terrific idea was thrown at me two weeks ago when I heard Sharon Snell, whose daughter Tiffany was killed by a drunk driver in October, 1996, wrote letters asking for support on a law she wishes to propose that would remove the privilege to buy alcohol after three DUI's.
Laws that exist now say that since we are under 21 we are too young to drink. Well, when adults are irresponsible enough to drink and drive, especially repeatedly, then they are definitely not responsible enough to consume or purchase alcohol. Buying alcohol is a privilege, it can be taken away. I feel no necessity in allowing a privilege that is no longer deserved.
A law like this could be enforced if carding was made mandatory, even when the person "looks" old enough. It will no longer be left to the bartender or cashier to judge age, or judge anything for that matter. Just the ID.
The carding would help bartenders in knowing all the facts about the people they are serving. They would know if the person had a DUI and had a problem with driving drunk. The law would make it less likely for bartenders to be sued for fault in drunk driving accidents, unless they refuse to card. This law may even stop more minors from purchasing alcohol, because "looking" old enough will not be all it will take. Everyone will be carded.
If we stay out past curfew, then our privileges are taken away. If some one calls in sick one too many times, they either lose the privilege of calling in sick or lose their job.
A law now exists that takes away a person's privilege to drive after 3 DUI's, but how long can you realistically take away some one's privilege to drive? People need to drive, therefore they still do. Then they think that because they do not get caught driving without their license sober, they drive drunk, determined that they will not be caught. They can still buy the alcohol that will make them drunk, impair their judgment and cause them to say "What else can the cops do? Put me in jail for one night? Besides I'll drive the back roads and I'm a good driver. I can handle it."
People with that attitude kill innocent people. The drinking needs to be stopped. The driving is not the problem in the first place, the drinking is.