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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 6, 2008

Article Denies Problem

Regarding "A Sober Look At Drunk Driving Stats" (Commentary, June 29):

When will they ever learn? This commentary is about as realistic as me looking up the definition of the word "denial" in Webster's and expecting the answer to be: The managing director of the American Beverage Institute.

So now reasonable people are to believe that all the deaths, injuries and misery caused by alcohol and driving is bogus and media hype?

First, in Florida we have no charge of drunk driving; we have driving under the influence. We in this state, like most I believe, recognize that one does not have to be drunk to be impaired to the extent they should not drive. It would be a legal nightmare to try to define "drunk." However, the writer of the article actually knows the difference between drunk and "truly drunk" since they only consider the latter a serious issue.

Until American motorists adopt the attitude like some cultures - "If I drink, I don't drive" - all the whining about statistics, anti-alcohol forces, responsible driving after drinking, moderation and legal limits will continue to serve as cannon fodder for our own denial of the problem.

JERRY W. BURGIN

Lithia

Mass Transit Would Help

Let me first say that I have, in my life, driven drunk. I have also driven after drinking. No matter how much I tried to rationalize getting behind the wheel after either one of these instances, I was wrong. Most "social" drinkers have been in this position whether they want to admit it or not. Regarding the article "A Sober Look at Drunk Driving Stats," I agree that current laws are dangerously draconian, but because people take these risks it makes these laws necessary.

There will forever be stories of overzealous police officers who pull someone over for a bad taillight only to find that the driver just came from dinner and had a couple of drinks. The next thing that happens is that they are posting bail and looking at their mug shot on the Internet. While we might ask that cop to make a judgment call, aren't we just as responsible for making a judgment call ourselves?

A good amount of the blame falls into a community's lack of infrastructure, like ours. Without suitable mass transit between the city and the suburbs and our continued reliance on our vehicles, the statistics, whether padded or accurate, will continue to be dangerously high.

DENNIS CADLE

Brandon

Writer Provided Sanity

Kudos to Sarah Longwell for having the knowledge and courage to present some differing facts to the distorted "data" provided by the prohibitionists and MADD mothers. It was long overdue.

We need more people like her to provide some sanity to the philosophy that the only thing law enforcement needs to look for after dark is people with alcohol on their breath.

A huge amount of resources in manpower, equipment, time and money are focused on this issue. In the meantime, what's being ignored? Is it really worth it?

M. HOMA

Palm Harbor

Keep It In Perspective

Sunday's story in the Commentary section, "A Sober Look At Drunk Driving Statistics," should be read with the understanding that the author of this article makes her living by selling alcohol. More specifically, alcohol that is consumed while at restaurants or bars or, stated another way, alcohol consumed prior to getting in a car and driving.

Although Sarah Longwell attempts to debunk frequently quoted drunk driving statistics, her attempt would be more successful if she were able to present data that was not obviously skewed by her vocation.

BETSY WILSON

Tampa

Focus On Bad Drivers

Finally the truth comes out! Thank you for printing the article "A Sober Look At Drunk Driving."

Groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving have long controlled the media and the law. They have been twisting the truth about drunk driving for years. Their so-called "statistics" are "adjusted" with their own version of new math. They have inflicted more pain and misery than all the drunk drivers combined by mandating draconian laws that punish more than just the drivers involved, but their families as well.

Printing the other side of the story was long overdue. Unfortunately, the writer will be discredited because she is the head of The National Beverage Institute.

What is needed is a real crackdown on all reckless drivers, no matter what cause. I am more scared of being hit by a cell phone user or a lane switcher than I am of someone who had a drink with dinner - which is enough to be legally drunk by MADD's statistics. Get the facts straight once and for all. The casual drinker is no great danger on the road. Reckless drivers are!

KEN STURMER

Hudson

Can Relate To Treatment

Regarding "Screeners Were Abusive" (Letters, June 28):

This letter brought back the horror of my recent experience with Tampa International Airport's Transportation Security Adminstration workers.

The lack of concern for his belongings was the same attitude that I was subjected to. Unlike him, I proceeded to enter through the unauthorized area to collect my belongings. That effort brought four TSA employees to attention. However, I had no intention of being intimidated and held my ground until my money and personal items were returned.

I was then "wanded" so hard that the back of the specialty button on my new blouse was destroyed. It is impossible to sew the button back on and impossible to replace it. Just looking at the blouse makes my blood boil, so I will send TSA the blouse, button, this letter and the memories to treasure forever.

MICHELE HANNIGAN

Sun City Center

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