Los Angeles Angels’ pitcher Nick Adenhart’s recent, tragic and untimely death was the result of a repeat drunk driver. While you read this article, three people in the United States will be injured because of alcohol-related car crashes. What’s even more disturbing is that every hour, two people will lose their lives because of drunk driving. Sadly, these accidents are completely preventable. The affects of drunk driving are felt everywhere. Adenhart’s death brings national attention to the problem, but we have had tragedies right here in Warren County. No case shows the tragic consequences of drunk driving more than that of Troy Sams. Sams was recently convicted of vehicular assault, child endangering and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He crashed his car, severely injuring his daughter and her friend who were riding in the car. Sams was found to have a blood alcohol level above 1.3 when the police arrived at the accident scene. His recklessness not only endangered Sams’ life, but that of his young passengers and everyone else on the road that night.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 17,000 people die in alcohol-related car crashes annually nationwide. In fact, almost 4 in 10 traffic fatalities occur because of alcohol. Even worse, in Warren County, 43% of drunk driving offenses are committed by repeat offenders. Take Roger Horvath as an example. Horvath had 10 separate offenses for driving under the influence. That means that at least 10 times he got behind the wheel of a car while drunk. This type of behavior is unacceptable.
Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) was started to combat the problem of drunk driving and specifically repeat offenders. MADD has made great strides in changing how America looks at drunk driving but there is still a lot that needs to be done. Andrea Rehkamp, Executive Director of the Southwestern Ohio Affiliate of MADD, is all too familiar with the dangers of drunk driving. “We continue to have 17,000 people killed and 500,000 injured every year by drunk drivers. It is a leading public health issue,” Rehkamp explained. “When I hear stories like that of Roger Horvath it makes me wonder how many bites of the apple does someone get before we take them off the road permanently?” she questioned.
Law enforcement and the courts must continue to aggressively enforce drunk driving laws. This includes prompt suspension of licenses, and the use of sobriety checkpoints. In 2002, a study conducted by the CDC revealed that sobriety checkpoints consistently reduce alcohol-related car accidents by 20%. New requirements including interlock breathalyzer devices for repeat offenders and the creation of an habitual offender registry, will no doubt help to combat the problem of drunk driving.
All of these precautions will help make our roads safer, but to truly end drunk driving we must take it upon ourselves. Don’t allow friends to drive when they have had too much to drink. Teach your children about the dangers of drinking and driving. Establish at a young age that such actions are unacceptable.
Rachel Hutzel is the Warren County Prosecutor.
