nment if a person continually drives impaired and only gets minimal punishment. In Great Britain many efforts have been taken to discourage drinking and driving. The Department of Transport has made drinking and driving their longest running public campaign. The first campaigns were run in 1965 and in 1967, when the current legal limits were introduced. The reduction in casualties in the 1980s and early 1990s was attributed to a combination of hard-hitting advertising campaigns, tougher penalties and improved enforcement, with well-publicized arrest figures and highly visible roadside breath-tests. Campaigns, especially those at Christmas, have helped to harden attitudes against drinking and driving, and to make it socially unacceptable. If convicted in Great Britain of driving while impaired, a minimum punishment of 6 months imprisonment plus a fine of 5000 and a license disqualification of at least 12 months (3 years if convicted twice in10 years) is mandatory (Alcohol Concern). If charged with a DWI in America one can be convicted but will not receive this kind of harsh punishment, which Great Britain enforces. First time offenders may lose their license for 30 days, have 100+ hours of community service, pay a fine, and/or a small time of imprisonment (~30 Days). The key to solving America’s alcohol problem is education. Limiting alcohol by age only, does not do much. Older individuals can also be incredibly irresponsible with alcohol. You cannot measure responsibility with age; responsibility must be measured by knowledge. That knowledge must be gained through alcohol education and strictly enforced consequences. Individuals need to know how to manage alcohol responsibly. Great Britain takes care of law defying individuals with strict punishment. Each person convicted of drinking and driving is screened for a good amount to determine if they have a drinking problem. Drinking and driving is not the only issue of...
