Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Massachusetts Can Do More to Stop Drunk Driving
Massachusetts has been named as one of the worst states in the U.S. to help prevent drunk driving, as the Commonwealth has only adhered to 4 of the 11 suggestions made to curb drunk driving on the federal level by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Boston Herald reported.
Federal Suggestions to Curb Drunk Driving
The NTSB recommends these 11 guidelines in order for state governments to take the necessary steps in keeping intoxicated drivers off of the roadways, especially for repeat offenders.
There are 22 other states besides Massachusetts that have agreed to less than five of the federal suggestions. Six states have agreed to adhere to eight or more of the guidelines, while none of the 50 states have taken on all 11.
Officials with the NTSB encourage states to have a single court that would handle all of a given state's drunk driving cases. Another suggestion made by the federal agency is to prohibit clearing charges off a drunk driver's record once they finish the required treatment.
Some of the other recommendations named by the NTSB are to have a locking device installed in an offender's car so that the vehicle will not be able to start if alcohol is detected and to enforce a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of zero for all repeat offenders. The federal agency also suggests impounding the vehicles of intoxicated drivers and confiscating the license plates to their cars, along with random alcohol screening. As far as treatment, the NTSB advises long-term rehabilitation for drunk drivers and extensive follow up if and when treatment has been completed. Prohibiting plea bargains in such cases is also strongly recommended.
The NTSB reports that following their suggestions will ultimately lead to fewer repeat offenses, serious injuries and deadly car crashes in Massachusetts.
