Will Wilson is a former GOVERNING correspondent.
E-mail: willbwilson@gmail.comTwitter: @governing
Super Drunk and Drive
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Michigan could soon become the 36th state to enact "super drunk and drive" legislation. Gov. Jennifer Granholm is working with the legislature on the details of a statute that would put stricter penalties on "super drunk" drivers, those whose blood-alcohol level is far above the legal limit.
The legislation seems a smart "power-law" approach (I'll let Malcom Gladwell explain) to weed out problem drunk drivers.
Of course, such action could implicitly condone "normal" drunk driving -- "Not Super Drunk? Not a problem! Welcome to Michigan!" -- but as long as regular drunk drivers face appropriate penalties as well, this should not perversely incentivize slightly-less-inebriated cruisin'. And we must remember that there is a social cost in teetotaling killjoyism as well.
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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