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Chester County Press

Uncle Irvin: Harsher penalties for DUI drivers

07/05/2016 01:25PM ● By Richard Gaw
In a late May edition of the Chester County Press, more than five DUIs were listed on its weekly Police Blotter. It's safe to assume that if five were caught by the police in one week, there were 50 or so that were not.
Cracking down by police, judges, and our lawmakers (or lack thereof) is the only way to deter this public menace that threatens the 99 percent of us who drive. All those who drink and drive should spend at least 48 hours in jail, fines should be increased to at least $1,000 for the first offense, and licenses should be suspended for a year for the first offense.
All the above deterrents should escalate with repeaters.
With draconian punishment, DUIs will drop, all of us sober drivers will be safer, and our auto insurance premiums will be less. If our legislatures and judges get serious, DUI can be reduced significantly.
Lawmakers and judges seem scared to “throw the book” at these reckless drivers who cause untold risks to drivers and pedestrians. It almost seems like DUIs have a paid lobbyist looking out for them.
Make DUIs pay and they will think twice about another beer or shot for the road.

(Uncle Irvin's column is his opinion only, and is not a news story.)