There are hundreds of cases each year just like these two high profile instances in which first offenders are given the least restrictive penalty and than show up again as repeat offenders, often times hurting or killing innocent people. Lets also remember that a first time offender only means this was the first time they were caught. How many times did they drive drunk before getting caught?
We also know the abuse of alcohol is at the root cause of most drunk driving arrests, and it's certainly the major cause of repeat drunk driving. Therefore we are doing the public a disservice by letting first offenders off without having them confront their use and often abuse of alcohol. Every first offender should be mandated to attend an alcohol counseling program and not leave this decision up to a judge. It only makes sense that if alcohol is the major cause of repeat offenders, than mandating alcohol counseling after the first offense will have a greater effect on reducing repeat drunk driving than a heavy fine, community service, putting an interlock system on their car, or incarceration.
Mike Gimbel, Timonium
The writer is the former Baltimore County Drug Czar.