Time for Zero Tolerance Toward Drunk Drivers

Pedro Panfilo Guzman was recently sentenced to 12 1/2 years in state prison for accidentally killing his 5-year-old son while driving under the influence of alcohol (June 6). This was a tough sentence by any reasonable standard.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Chizever, who negotiated a plea bargain, commented, “This case can be a lesson to people . . . as to what can happen.”

Exactly. The lesson is this: If you get caught driving under the influence, not much will happen--unless of course you are unlucky enough to kill somebody, in which case the book will be thrown at you. What about Guzman’s three prior convictions? “Primarily probation,” according to your report.

I teach at Chatsworth High School, where one of my students was killed by a drunk driver. Over the years, I’ve talked to my classes about this problem and their responsibility as drivers.

But education is not enough. It’s time we caught up with other countries that have for decades followed a zero-tolerance policy toward drunk drivers, meaning mandatory jail sentences, heavy fines or impounding of vehicles for first offenders--whatever it takes to reduce the carnage.

How many must die or be crippled or maimed before we’ve had enough?

BOB HAMMOND

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