Texas, the Three? Star State; TX Received 3 of 5 Stars on DWI Efforts

MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) rates every U.S. state on its efforts to curb drunk driving and enforce DWI laws. MADD uses a rating system that can award states up to 5 stars based on their efforts in this regard. KVUE.com in Austin reports that Texas received only 3 stars. Well, in this particular instance, at least we're not a lone star state. 3 stars is the average rating among the states. Only a very few receive the top rating of 5 stars.

MADD's publicized rating system encourages stronger DWI enforcement efforts to discourage DWI accidents and the catastrophic injuries and needless deaths that they cause. The states can receive a star for each of 5 categories in which they meet MADD's stringent scoring criteria.

1. No refusal programs.
2. Revoking drunk drivers' licenses to drive.
3. Sobriety checkpoints.
4. Ignition interlock devices in drunk drivers' vehicles.
5. Increased penalties for driving drunk with a child in the vehicle.

Texas failed to receive stars for the sobriety checkpoint and ignition interlock categories. I suspect those are the categories in which other 3-star states lost out too. American sensibilities still resist the idea of security "checkpoints." I suspect drunk drivers would learn to avoid them or would take dangerous measures trying to do so, so I'm not completely convinced of the utility of sobriety checkpoints. And wouldn't convicted drunk drivers with ignition interlock devices simply borrow other cars if they wanted to drive?

An observant, well-trained, and dedicated law enforcement officer still provides our best hope for strong DWI enforcement efforts. Let's hope these officers are out in force during this holiday season, when drunk drivers take to the roads in larger numbers than during the rest of the year.