While impaired driving rates have fallen tremendously -- showing that social disapproval and mandatory sentencing can work for some specific types of crime -- the chronic impaired driver continues to drive in exactly the same way (in the case below the driver, in 14 years as an adult racked up 68 previous criminal convictions — including 22 for impaired driving and 14 for driving while disqualified). Such drivers pose a clear and present threat and having them separated from society (whether by prison or some substitute) makes sense:
February 12, 2010
Alison Auld
The Canadian Press
HALIFAX, N.S.—A habitual drunk driver who slammed his car into a family's SUV smirked at his victims Friday as a judge handed down one of the stiffest sentences in Nova Scotia for impaired driving.
Terry Naugle, his arms slung over the back of the court bench, grinned at Julia McMillan and her teenage daughter as a provincial court judge sentenced him to 8 1/2 years in prison for three driving offences linked to the incident last year.
Naugle, 53, appeared unmoved by the judge's sharp words for a 32-year criminal history that has racked up 68 previous criminal convictions — including 22 for impaired driving and 14 for driving while disqualified.
James Morton
1100-5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
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416 225 2777
www.jmortonmusings.blogspot.com
1 comment:
But why 68? Why didn't this conclusion get reached at 4? 12? 25? 45? At some point the system is to blame.We deserve better.
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