Comments on: Maureen McCormick: How Nassau Got Serious About Traffic Crime

By: Maureen McCormick

Maureen McCormick — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:29:12 +0000

MADD is primarily responsible for the raising of consciousness as it relates to drunk driving. As a grass roots organization they were able to get Americans to think about driving drunk and its consequences. Culture and consciousness has not yet caught up to the sober, reckless driver. Since 1998 District Attorney Charles Hynes in Brooklyn has been trying to change the culture and educate our newest drivers through a high school program called "Choices and Consequnces". Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice has brought this program to Nassau County and it has been presented to over 20,000 students. The other NYC DA's offices are also actively looking at programs to bring into the schools. The culture must be changed.

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:58:44 +0000

This is a key quote in what is a great interview: "There is still not enough awareness about driving crimes that do not involve alcohol and drugs among the general public, some parts of law enforcement and the judiciary."

In fact, this is probably the most important point. So how do we change this? In effect, the ideal we're talking about is the entire car-critical consciousness of a website like this *taking hold at the level of the culture generally*.

People like Larry King, Sen. Schumer, Derek Jeter, Madonna, Paul Krugman, Bill Gates, etc., etc., will have to stand up publicly, on a huge stage, and say, cars are like guns, alcohol, smoking: their dangerous effects need to be managed constantly. And we're far away from that happening.

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:00:30 +0000

Boris makes a fine point. Drunk driving is a separate matter and a crime in itself, of course, but it is absurd that a "simply irresponsible" driver, who may very well be speeding through a red light with willful and sober disregard for human life, would be treated any less harshly than a drunk driver who did the same thing. In some sense, which Boris suggests perhaps, the sober and reckless driver is more reprehensible.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:19:33 +0000

Boris, I don't think I agree with you but I suppose I see what you're getting at.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:52:21 +0000

I think, in some sense, many drivers are "under the influence" -- the influence of the power they have to wield their vehicle as a weapon. I don't think anyone is immune to it -- good drivers keep those feelings under control; drunk drivers willingly give up their control (except Cary Grant in North by Northwest) and so seem worse -- but are they really any worse than a sober aggressive driver who won't keep control?

By: Boris

Boris — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:43:58 +0000

Josh,

Just think of phrases like "under the influence." Like the insanity plea, being drunk should seem to imply you are no longer responsible for your actions due to some abnormal force acting on your brain. Yet you get into more trouble driving drunk than sober, when the consequences of your actions are essentially the same. Essentially you are only punished for drinking, not for driving irresponsibly.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:16:51 +0000

Why is that ironic?

By: Boris

Boris — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:02:49 +0000

It's ironic that drunk drivers are held responsible for their actions while sober drivers aren't.

By: Omri

Omri — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:44:59 +0000

The recession is pushing down advertising rates. Perhaps a passing around of the hat around Streetsblog will get a British 20's Plenty commercial aired around the city?

By: Mark Walker

Mark Walker — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:10:32 +0000

I almost got hit by a cab today. I was crossing at West 96th and Broadway, with the light, with several people in front and behind me, and I looked for moving cars before I stepped into the street. Despite all that, a cab shot through the intersection and stopped inches from me. What would be the chances of that driver getting prosecuted if his foot had hit the brake half a second later?

By: Jessica Roberts

Jessica Roberts — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:22:33 +0000

What an inspiring interview. I am so glad to see concrete examples of the steps that are being taken to treat these crimes seriously. I hope other parts of the country can learn from the progress that is being made.