Dan Rodricks' recent column raises some very important questions about the Episcopalian church, alcoholism and Bishop Heather Cook's questionable leadership role ("More 'Agony in the Garden' over Cook arrest," Feb. 11).
Unfortunately, he missed an opportunity to draw attention to the crucial role of government in tackling drunk driving.
Last week, a bipartisan group of Maryland senators announced support for a bill to provide DUI victims restitution by fining drunken drivers if they cause injury or death while driving with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .16 or more, for a repeat DUI offense or while driving on a suspended or revoked license.
Maryland's Senate was inspired to act by the case of Ms. Cook, who faces 13 charges for killing bicyclist Thomas Palermo. On her first DUI she had a .27 BAC but received probation before judgment and paid a $300 fine. Less than five years later, she stands charged in the death of Mr. Palermo. Prosecutors say she was driving with a .22 BAC and texting on her phone.
If this case fails to inspire real DUI reform, what will? Restitution will not save lives. Nothing can make amends for a life lost or forever changed due to drunk driving accidents except preventing them from happening in the first place.
In Maryland, high-risk offenders are routinely given a second chance by probation before judgment. This system is horribly broken. In instances where an offender suffers from alcohol and/or drug dependency, a fine will not deter future offenses.
Meaningful reform should include evidence-based solutions such as eliminating probation before judgment in DUI cases, increasing the penalties for drivers who refuse to submit to BAC tests, and mandating permanent ignition interlocks for convicted drunk drivers.
Courts should also mandate screening and assessment and treatment for drunk drivers, create DUI courts for repeat offenders and monitor high-risk offenders to ensure sentence compliance over the long run.
Mr. Rodricks' commentary shocked the public into a realization that drunk drivers come from all walks of life. Real reform, however, starts in Annapolis with our elected leaders, and while it certainly should include victim restitution, it definitely should not end there.
Ralph S. Blackman, Arlington
The writer is president & CEO of the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility.