Arizona DUI Law Too Harsh?

    Have you ever thought Arizona's DUI laws are extreme? Ask someone who has lost a loved one to a completely avoidable mistake.

    The decision to drive your car after getting drunk or even having one beer is a decision that should be easy to make.

    Imagine having one beer and not thinking you are drunk. Now imagine getting into a car accident and someone in the accident besides yourself dies, it could be someone you don't know or it could be someone you love. Either hypothetical is considered vehicular manslaughter.

    Is a crime that severe which can be completely avoided worth a lifetime in prison?

    Driving drunk to some may be a fairly common occurrence in Arizona. Those who have actually been caught driving under the influence in this state have most likely spent at least twenty-four hours in our state's infamous Tent City. Others could spend up to forty-five days in Tent City.

    While the conditions of the prison are extremely harsh and somewhat inhumane, ranging from sleeping outdoors in extreme weather to meals comparable to dog food, all can be avoided by making the wise decision to do not drive drunk.

    Tent City is an institution which inmates must remain day and night, sleeping in over one-hundred degree heat, next to an animal crematorium, horse stables, spiders, rats, and the constant interruption of sleep due to the officers yelling over a loud speaker throughout the day and night.

    Some people compare the conditions of Tent City to those of dogs inside a dog-pound. The loss of your human rights is something that every person should fear.

    In Arizona, DUI offenders are arrested, blood tested, and taken to jail. The refusal of the blood test could result in suspension of your license for six months, even if you're not under the influence.

    Once convicted, the crime leads to large fines, jail time, suspension of your license and the installation of an interlock device in your car for six months.

    If you are thinking to yourself that these punishments are harsh, we can consider the punishment in other countries.

    According to www.aboutdui.com punishment for offenders driving while intoxicated are quite different; In France, DWI offenders could face up to one year in prison and up to $1000 in fines. In Norway, drunk drivers are imprisoned for three years and a license suspension for one year, the second offense, the driver loses their license forever. In Russia, you lose your license for life. Saudi Arabia, offenders are subject to public lashing. South Africa, $10,000 fine, a ten year prison sentence, or both according to the severity of the case. Turkey, the driver is taken twenty miles outside of the city and forced to walk back under police escort. Now in El Salvador, first-time DWI offenders are hauled off and executed by firing squad. In Bulgaria drunk drivers are executed after the second offense.

    To conclude, think next time you consider drinking and driving and who's life you could effect, don't be selfish and only think of yourself, think of other's lives as well.

    Do not drink and drive.