310_Ind3_S2

Name: Meghan Putnam

Instructions: Now that you have proven that there is a problem, you must research possible solutions to the problem. You must turn in this research sheet completed with two articles attached that show possible solutions and why they would work

III. There are many possible solutions to this problem. The possible solutions are: (Two articles must be attached and annotated bibliography)

Currently DUI laws are not strict enough in the US, which has become a large problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that in 1995, 41% of fatal traffic crashes involved a driver or pedestrian who had been drinking. Driver's with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.02 percent still affects their reaction time and slows their decision-making process. A Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level as low as 0.02% doubles a driver's risk of being in a fatal crash. Some penalties found for convicted persons are required to inform national headquarters of their officers of their latest progress or decreased progress. They also have to pay $50 in annual fees. Police officers or other officials immediately confiscate the license of a driver who exceeds the Blood Alcohol Concentration limit. Some receive jail time and community service requirements. Other laws that come with a DUI are treatment or rehabilitation, jail sentences, dedicated detention, probation, actions against vehicles and vehicle tags, lower legal BAC's for offenders, or combinations of all each of these. License suspension periods between 12 and 18 months are the most effective for offenders rather than 3 months which seem to be less effective.

IV. The solution I (we) propose is: (This section will become your proposed legislation. Be sure to include what agency will implement your law, proposed cost if any and effective date) For DUI penalties there should be some major changes. A person who has been convicted of a DUI for the first time should have their license suspended for a minimum of 2 years and be sentenced to 60 days in jail. They will be sent to a probation officer once a week for the 2 years without a license. They will pay a total fine of $3,000 to the courts and other fines that come with the expenses at their own discretion (such as a lawyer). Repeat offenders (2nd and 3rd DUI's) will spend a minimum of 6 months in jail, license suspension of 5 years and fines up to $7000. They will be required to visit probation officers twice a week for 5 years. Offenders after the 4th DUI will have their license revoked for 10 years (after jail sentence), and spend 6 years in jail. After jail they will see a probation officer for 10 years and pay a minimum of $10000 to the courts. They will be required to install a breathalyzer into their vehicle once their license has been returned. If they fail the breathalyzer at any time their license will be revoked permanently.

V. I (we) think this solution will work because: (You must use factual information to prove your solution will work) The article, "Prevention of Drinking and Driving," states that licenses that are suspended for 12-18 months are more effective than for 3 months. In 1995, there were 17,724 alcohol-related traffic fatalities and about 300,000 injuries related to drunk driving. About 3 in 5 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their life. Most people who get behind the wheel after drinking will harm another human being and the penalties instated now are not strict enough to prevent more lives from being taken away. Change needs to happen, and it needs to happen soon rather than later when many families are devastated from their loss of an innocent civilian.

 Works Cited Hingson, Ralph. “Prevention of Drinking and Driving.” //SIRS//. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. . prevention of Drinking and Driving talks about how the even the smallest Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level can affect a drivers ability to function correctly and make clear decisions. Watts, Tim J. “Remove Intoxicated Drivers.” //ABC-CLIO eBook Collection//. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. . Remove Intoxicated Drivers discusses the statistics in the year 1995 when the daeth rates due to intoxicated drivers was extremely high. The article also refers to a few solutions that seem to help lower the statistics by some percentages.