It's Thursday, it's late and you've had one too many. It's time to go home and you've got the keys. You know your choices.
If you choose to get behind the wheel, you're placing yourself and everyone else on the road in immediate danger.
The risk of driving drunk is serious, period. Now state lawmakers across the country are pulling out the stops to discourage drinkers from driving drunk.
Beyond the persistent public service announcements appearing on television, states are enlisting non-traditional tactics to generate awareness, and perhaps New York should follow suit.
Some states already require repeat DWI offenders to have ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicles, necessitating a breath-test prior to turning the key. But some states are going farther.
Much farther.
Hot pink license plates for repeat offenders and talking urinal cakes are just two measures being explored in other parts of the country.
The pink plates beginning with the letters "DWI" may soon don the cars of three-peat drunk drivers in Arkansas if state officials have their way. The concept is meant not only to humiliate the driver, but also to serve as a reminder to others.
New Mexico's government has handed out "talking" urinal cake holders to hundreds of bar owners. Activated by an approaching urinal patron, the device emits sound advice: "Hey, big guy. Having a few drinks? Think you had one too many? Then it's time to call a cab or call a sober friend for a ride home."
Gadgets and gimmicks aside, lawmakers need to lay down the law.
In 2005 alone, drunk driving resulted in nearly 13,000 fatalities in the United States. Many of those killed were innocent drivers in the wrong place at the wrong time - all thanks to one bad decision on the part of an average Joe.
Perhaps lawmakers haven't gone far enough.
With a high recidivism rate, drunk drivers need to learn their lesson the first time.
Why not give them pink plates after just one offence - instead of three like Arkansas? Or take their license away altogether after just two?
There's no urinal cake on earth with a sterner warning than that.
Bribery is a two way street
Lawmakers need to stamp gifts 'return to sender'
Hosting political games that often rival the Olympics, Albany is widely known as a safe-haven for lobbyists.
Lawmakers are showered with gifts and other freebees from special interest groups pushing their causes, hoping to get on the good side of state officials. This has gone on for decades upon decades - and reform is overdue.
This isn't a call merely to stop lobbyists from doing what they do best; there are already laws against high-end bribery. In fact, lobbyists regularly get fined much more than the value of their gifts.
It is the lawmakers - the elected officials who are supposed to represent their constituents - that need a reminder in the ethical standards of their offices.
Right now, as their cause-pitching counterparts get in trouble for their actions, the state senators and assemblymen who receive kickback gifts with a wink and a nod get off scot-free.
A new bill proposed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer and passed by the state legislature instates tougher rules for lawmakers, but with one catch: it's enforced by committee of their peers.
The track record for lawmakers fining other lawmakers is uninspiring.
Consequence-free gifts to the men and women who are elected to create the laws of our state need to stop, and deterring lobbyists isn't enough. Next time your representative is offered gratis airfare or tickets to the game, tell them to say "thanks, but no thanks."
It's the only ethical thing to do.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
