Ken Schram: We must punish drunk drivers before they kill
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They buried their daughter a little more than two years ago.
Sheena Blair was all of 24 years old when a drunk driver, going the wrong way on an Everett street, slammed into the car Sheena was driving.
Tony Ramirez, a passenger in Sheena's car, was also killed that night in February 2010.
Sheena's parents turned their grief and sorrow into a crusade to change the laws that dictate how long drunk drivers are sent to prison when they kill someone in a crash.
This year, the Blair's were present when Governor Gregoire signed a law that put DUI-related vehicular homicide at the same level as first degree manslaughter.
But that's not enough for Sheena's parents.
Over the weekend, they teamed up with a whole host of local law enforcement to swamp Pierce County streets and go after drunks behind the wheel of a car.
Tougher sentencing for drunk drivers who kill someone is a good step forward.
But until we pass unrelenting laws that are much tougher on drunk drivers who are pulled over before they can kill, the risk on our roads is only marginally diminished.
Saving lives is preferable to punishing those who take lives.
State lawmakers are beginning to get that message.
Sheena Blair's parents are among those who want to drive it home.
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also connect with Ken on Facebook.
Sheena Blair was all of 24 years old when a drunk driver, going the wrong way on an Everett street, slammed into the car Sheena was driving.
Tony Ramirez, a passenger in Sheena's car, was also killed that night in February 2010.
Sheena's parents turned their grief and sorrow into a crusade to change the laws that dictate how long drunk drivers are sent to prison when they kill someone in a crash.
This year, the Blair's were present when Governor Gregoire signed a law that put DUI-related vehicular homicide at the same level as first degree manslaughter.
But that's not enough for Sheena's parents.
Over the weekend, they teamed up with a whole host of local law enforcement to swamp Pierce County streets and go after drunks behind the wheel of a car.
Tougher sentencing for drunk drivers who kill someone is a good step forward.
But until we pass unrelenting laws that are much tougher on drunk drivers who are pulled over before they can kill, the risk on our roads is only marginally diminished.
Saving lives is preferable to punishing those who take lives.
State lawmakers are beginning to get that message.
Sheena Blair's parents are among those who want to drive it home.
---
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also connect with Ken on Facebook.
