According to a newspaper study, some driving under the influence charges end in reduced penalties rather than the stiff punishment needed – a situation that needs corrected immediately.

Monday, September 04, 2000

According to a newspaper study, some driving under the influence charges end in reduced penalties rather than the stiff punishment needed – a situation that needs corrected immediately.

The Columbus Dispatch took a look recently at what happens when Ohio drivers refuse to take a breath, blood or urine test for alcohol.

Of the 35,259 drunken driving cases in 1998 and 1999 that involved test refusals, a third faced reckless driving or other reduced crimes at conviction.

Why does this happen? Test refusals seem to give drunk drivers a legal loophole.

Lawmakers need to sew that loophole shut, and they are being encouraged by the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission.

The commission wants lawmakers to deny work-related driving permits for drivers who refuse tests and double the minimum three days in jail for those later convicted of drunken driving.

That’s a good idea.

Driving drunk can, and will, kill people. Those who try to sneak their way out of jail time and court fines should be stopped.

It will save lives.