Once again, we are hearing reports about tougher penalties going into effect for persons convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). From what I could gather, the only change being made is that there will be a longer prison sentence after one's 8th DUI conviction.

Is somebody kidding? After the 8th DUI conviction? This is an absolute joke! While driving drunk is certainly not unique to New Mexico, what is unique here is a lack of meaningful punishment for behavior that often leads to fatalities. If anyone was really serious about dealing with drunk drivers, they would, like some states do, take away one's driving privilege (yes, driving is a privilege and not a right) after their second or third DUI conviction, or maybe impose a jail sentence on top of that. But not so here in the Land of Enchantment. How dare we even consider taking away someone's "right" to drive after a wild night out on the town which may ultimately result in deadly consequences. In the years that I have lived here in New Mexico, my recollection is that a huge majority of DUI fatalities were caused by persons with multiple convictions.

Why are people in this state so willing to tolerate politicians who seem to have such little regard for the safety of the citizens? How many more innocent lives will be taken from us needlessly before Santa Fe begins to take this matter seriously?

Let your voices be heard and demand changes to our law to get habitual offenders off the roads. To quote an old expression "The life you save may be your own."

Ed Osowski
Silver City, NM