Hardcore Drunken Driving

The head of the National Transportation Safety Board urges a new focus on hardcore drunken drivers, who are responsible for about six of every ten alcohol-related traffic deaths.

Hardcore drunken drivers are those who repeatedly drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 or higher, have more than one DUI/DWI arrest, and are highly resistant to changing their behavior despite previous sanctions, treatment or education.

The head of the Safety Board also praised new policies promoted by the Century Council, a nonprofit public interest group devoted to reducing both underage drinking and drunk driving.

The Century Council recommends that states use:

• Highly visible law enforcement
• Mandatory breath sensors
• License revocation and license plate seizures to combat repeat drunken driving offenders
• Escalating sanctions based on a drivers BAC
• Mandatory treatment for those convicted of DWI/DUI

The Century Council, which spends well about $1 million dollars each and ever month to reduce underage drinking and drunk driving, is funded by major American distillers.