
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 29, 1992                   TAG: 9203270208
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TOUGHER PUNISHMENT FOR DRUNKEN DRIVERS

A mother and daughter lost their lives on Sept. 7, 1991. A family was destroyed by a man who decided to drink and drive as he had done in the past.

On Feb. 25, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison with a chance of being paroled in 2 1/2 years. What a contrast to the family who lost a wife, mother, daughter and sister, who will have to suffer forever. This is a lifelong sentence.

He will be able to resume his life after he serves his time. Chances are he will be remorseful (an all-time cop-out for alcoholics) then pick up the bottle again.

The maximum sentence for [drunken driving in this case] is 20 years, even with a prison drunken driving record. I think drunken drivers who kill should be charged with premeditated murder. They can control their drinking, and if they choose to drink they should not drive. When a drunk gets behind a wheel it is like picking up a loaded gun and firing at random. Innocent people lose their lives and the drunks can sit and feel sorry for themselves.

A first conviction for drunken driving should result in a mandatory loss of license for life because drinking is self-inflicted and can be controlled.\ Mildred Facteau Christiansburg

by CNB