Too many of us have an idea in our heads that "that could be me," after the company Christmas party or baby shower or whatever, getting into big trouble with a DWI. In fact, my understanding is there are people out there who drive waaay drunk, all the time. They are hard core alcoholics, and we should do everything possible to get them off the streets, permanently. No breath inter-lock systems, no driving only to and from work, nothing. Take a cab or bum a ride or walk. And any judge who goes easy on drunks shouldn't be retained or reelected.
Several years ago a lady nearly plowed into my brother's car in Phoenix. He was able to apply the brakes in time to avoid getting T-boned. My mother, brother, sister-in-law and I all would have likely been severely injured or worse. This was like on Wednesday night during Christmas week, around 11PM, and she was already double drunk and heading home. And not caught DWI for the first time, either. Years ago in Phoenix, long before our awareness of DWI was raised by MADD and others, if you got ticketed for DWI and convicted, you went to jail for a night. Period. The then mayor of Phoenix, Margaret Hance, took the punishment and used it as a "teachable moment" (how I hate that term). And lots of jurisdictions have instituted that kind of shock therapy for first offenders, too. You can make a mistake and get caught DWI the first time. Only a hopeless drunk gets caught multiple times, period.
