Mothers Against Drunk Driving - Jaynie Brown: Many of your remember why our family got involved in DUI. On Feb. 27, 1999, Mike & Natalie Brown Affleck (our daughter & her husband) were driving south on I-15 and waiting to exit as it had been closed for construction. There was a line up of cars trying to get off the freeway. From behind came a pickup truck driven by a drunk driver who thought he was going to Park City. He hit the back of the Affleck's car at full speed and crushed the 2 little boys in the back. Mike was unconscious. The boys were airlifted to Primary Children's Medical Center where the baby was on life support for 3 days and ultimately died. The Browns know what happens when repeat offenders are out there driving and decided to become involved.
75% of the arrests made are drunk drivers. Repeat offenders are 25-40 years old. When first approached, the government would not respond to MADD but now the Speaker and Pres of the Senate will listen. The courts are working together. There is a sunset clause allowing us to work but it will disappear over time. We haven't touched the data yet and can't track offenders. They are looking for a program to get volunteers to drive people home.
Please --write the governor to renew the sunset clause. It costs nothing and some think it's not necessary, but it will help.
2nd Refer to the newsletter to see our bills. They have passed the house and are now in the Senate. If they pass they may not be funded and if not, won't be enforced. The appropriations committee needs to budget for them. Paul Ray is sponsoring a bill on Drunk Driving where repeat offenders need treatment. Some want 30-60 days jail time. That does almost nothing. They need treatment.
Drivers with high BAC (blood alcohol content) have to have mandatory probation and have an interlock device put on their car. We should have had 4000 installed since July and have had only 70 done. There is no follow through. Bill #196 ensures tracking will be done but it must be funded as well.
The judges are not doing a good job. We need to study tracking Judges and solve these problems. The Deseret News recently did a 6-day series of articles on drunk driving. It's astounding when you see the problem.
Please write to the governor or give him a phone call to continue the drunk driving council for at least 1 more year.
Q/C: Can tax money from alcohol sales help fund this stuff?
Ans: Good idea. So far the legislators want it for their own private things.
Q/C: Is there a citizen initiatory process in Utah? It would make them pay for their own problem.
Ans: We cannot make people pay for your own justice.
 |
|
|
|
|
|