The tragic death of Angels’ pitcher Nick Adenhart brings the issue of traffic safety to the fore. This incident occurred just days after two University of Southern California students were run down—one killed—by a driver who also ran a red light.
In both cases, the drivers had suspended licenses. Claudia Cabrera, charged in the death of the USC student, had her license suspended for multiple unpaid citations. In the Adenhart’s case, Andrew Thomas Gallo, was also prohibited from driving due to a previous drunk driving conviction. Gallo was drunk when he crashed into Adenhart’s vehicle, killing three people.
The Adenhart accident could have been avoided if California had a law in effect requiring the use of interlock ignition devices that analyze the driver’s breath for those convicted of driving under the influence. There are currently 10 states with such a law, and California could join them if it passes AB91, sponsored by Assembly Member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles). The measure, which will be considered in committee on April 14, requires the use of these devices for six months as a condition to drive for those who have been convicted of drunk driving.
Such a law is needed in California which has, according to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), 310,971 drivers who have been found guilty of drunk driving at least three times, and of these, over 44,210 convicted five or more times.
Such criminal recklessness committed behind the wheel should be punished severely in a way that sets an example. At the same time, laws must be passed to prevent the irresponsible from continuing to endanger the public’s safety.
