Smart Cars

Drinking and driving

February 14, 2008 – 8:14 am

Business leaders are regularly called upon to set examples, especially for younger people on the corporate ladder.

Usually, these leaders set a fine example that leads their younger employees to business success.In one area, though, this leadership is not quite so evident. Too often executives, their clients and associates stop off for a few drinks on the way home or, especially during this festive time of year, attend celebrations where alcohol and drugs are consumed, then they drive home. This is a no-no, especially in 1996. Police in most communities of central Oklahoma are stepping up traffic enforcement this year as a means to get drunk and drugged drivers off the road. Oklahoma County Sheriff-elect John Whetsel pledged his office’s support, including deputies making more routine traffic stops. “Enforcing our traffic laws leads to more than just safer highways, it leads to safer communities and helps solve a lot of crimes,” he said. “Who can forget that Timothy McVeigh, one ofthe most wanted men in the world after the April 19, 1995, bombing (of downtown Oklahoma City) was stopped because of a routine traffic violation? “Criminals use the city streets and state highways to go to and from a crime. We can stop these criminals by just enforcing our traffic laws.” Of course, Whetsel’s pledge of using deputies for traffic enforcement will not take affect until he assumes office in January. Until then, he will continue enforcing traffic laws through the Choctaw Police Department where he is chief. December has been designated as 3-D month in Oklahoma, that is preventing drunk and drugged driving, according to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. Mothers Against Drunk Driving also is stepping up its campaign to remove impaired drivers from the streets and highways. In its announcement of the stepped up campaign in December, MADD also released its latest rating of states’ efforts to eliminate drunken and drugged driving. Oklahoma has an overall grade of C+, up from a C- in the previous rating in 1993. This puts Oklahoma’s efforts, on both a public and private basis, smack in the middle of the states. While Oklahoma has improved its standing, that’s not enough, said Bernadette Huber, executive director of the Oklahoma affiliate of the national organization. “It is encouraging that Oklahoma’s grade has improved,” she said. “The strong partnership between law enforcement, state and federal agencies and concerned organizations have improved statistics and created better public awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, but we have many challenges ahead. “The safety of the driving public is threatened by a complacent attitude toward drunk driving. Oklahoma must close the loopholes in our state laws and administrative polices which allow drunk driving offenders to continue to repeat their actions.” Oklahoma must pass stiffer laws, including lowering the blood alcohol content measure of drunkenness, restrictions on charge reductions and even vehicle confiscation, she said. Mothers Against Drunk Driving is not the only organization working with the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office to reduce the number of impaired drivers this year. The Oklahoma Restaurant Association and its members also are reviving its designated driver program, urging patrons to select a designated driver before drinking starts. The designated driver will agree to not consume alcohol during the night and ensure that all members of the party get home safely. Free non-alcoholic drinks will be provided to the designated driver. Another program, through the American Automobile Association of Oklahoma will allow any impaired driver to receive a free taxi ride and car towing within a 15-mile radius. This program is offered in the Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Lawton areas through Jan. 1. Bill May welcomes your comments and contributions. You may reach him by phone at (405) 278-2837, by fax at 278-6907, or by e-mail, dpage