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Preventing drunk driving in Rochester, or any community for that matter, is an essential safety measure. According to the Department of Transportation, there are around 1.4 billion cars in the United States. Drunk driving is blamed for over 37 deaths every day in the United States. Prevention programs to stop drunk driving save lives. Here are some of the ways Rochester can get the problem under control.

1. Education Is Key

Prompting awareness is a key component of preventing drunk driving. Emphasizing the legal and personal consequences of drunk driving can persuade drivers to think twice before they get behind the wheel. Education about drunk driving and the potential fallout should start in schools.

Public service announcements at public gatherings can also help increase awareness of this risky behavior. Educating people on the risks of drunk driving is a first line of defense in preventing the behavior. Rochester’s community centers, schools, and workplaces are all ideal settings to provide educational materials about the risks of drunk driving.

2. Toughen the Laws

Rochester could toughen local laws to reduce the incidence of drunk driving. Tougher drunk driving laws can be an effective prevention tool. In Massachusetts, according to the State Attorney General, over 17,000 ignition interlock devices have been installed since Melanie’s Laws were passed in 2005. Melanie’s law requires that anyone caught driving drunk must have an ignition interlock system installed to continue to drive.

These devices require that the driver take a breathalyzer test before the ignition can be unlocked. Ignition interlock devices can reduce repeat offenses of the DUI laws. Stiffer penalties can be an easy way to keep people from drinking and driving in Rochester. If the laws were stricter for first-time offenders, it would prevent drivers from taking the risk.

3. Sobriety Checkpoints

Random sobriety checkpoints in Rochester can help to reduce the incidence of drunk driving. These checkpoints can get drunk drivers off the road before they have a chance to cause damage. Additionally, checkpoints can be a great tool for enforcing other driving laws. For example, according to Forbes, about one out of eight drivers do not have auto insurance. A checkpoint could help to remove drivers from the road that are uninsured, or that don’t have an operator’s license.

Sobriety checkpoints in Rochester are a powerful tool in making people think twice before they drive drunk. When word gets around that law enforcement is out looking for drunk drivers, it will give people pause. Checkpoints are a proactive way of keeping drunk drivers off the roads.

4. Promote Share Rides

Promoting shared-ride services in the community can help to prevent drunk driving. If people are aware that they can call a service to get them home safely, it might reduce the incidence of drunk driving in Rochester. Several ride-share options in Rochester are available. Educating people about the availability of ride-share options can help to prevent drunk driving.

Education about using designated drivers can also help prevent drunk driving. Setting up a reward system for people who use designated drivers may help in persuading people to avoid drinking and driving. Sometimes, you can get more results from using positive reinforcement than you do using penalties.

Preventing drinking and driving should be a priority for every community. Rochester can and should get the problem under control. By giving the problem-focused attention, injuries, property damage, and fatalities can be reduced. Drunk driving is a community plague that is costly in more ways than one. Rochester can get the problem under control.