Drunk Drivers

It has been just over three weeks since my younger brother, Alan, was killed in a head-on car collision with a drunk driver. Three college students died and two were hospitalized in San Diego.

The first newspaper that I picked up upon resuming normal activities had headlines of a legally-drunk woman running down several teen-agers and killing three of them. This springtime has also had a rash of deaths involving young people who are drinking and driving.

Our family suffered great personal loss and society suffers staggering financial costs due to drinking and driving. We, as a society, bear part of the responsibility for these deaths. We allow alcoholics to drive on our roads and kill our families.

I have read that in Sweden a first offense for driving after drinking requires a mandatory 6-month jail sentence. This has not solved their alcohol problems, however, I understand that they have greatly reduced their drunk-driving deaths.

Perhaps the most vocal group for tougher laws against drunk driving is MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).

Prior to my brother’s death, I was too busy to be involved with MADD. Must we all lose a loved one before we get involved?

I urge your support of MADD, as well as any local, state or federal legislation to strengthen drunk-driving laws. Finally, start with yourself: Don’t drink and drive; don’t let your friends drive after drinking.

SCOTT VOORMAN

Oxnard