Editor,
Lucinda Ulrich proposed requiring ignition interlocks on every single car as a solution to drunken driving in yesterday's Daily Lobo, so that nobody could ever drive intoxicated again. This is grossly heavy-handed, because this policy would be punishing all drivers for the actions of a few. In our society, where our lives are supposed to be free from excessive meddling, it is a violation of our liberty. Drunken driving is an egregious breach of conduct and should not be tolerated, but what Ulrich proposed is far too prohibitive.
Additionally, this requirement would cause the price of all vehicles to increase. The already high price of an automobile would be outside the reach of many law-abiding citizens who would never drink and drive.
If you can drive, you are more or less an adult in our society - the same goes for drinking - but by requiring ignition interlocks in all cars, we would be treating millions of adults like children and telling them that they cannot monitor their own behavior.
Mark Gallegos
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