The Scarlet Letters: DUI

Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi made good on a promise to publish the names and faces of everyone charged with DUI in his county over the Memorial Day weekend after one of his officers was critically injured when an intoxicated driver rammed his patrol car. The police officer, Kenneth Baribault, was already on the side of the road processing a different drunk driver.

Mr. Suozzi’s actions have many discussing the legal and ethical merits of using shame as a deterrent to those that would drive under the influence; with good arguments to be made on both sides it makes for a good debate topic. I myself have spoken out against similar tactics, but really I have mixed emotions on the subject- especially when someone is injured or dies.

When I think of this brave officer and the fate of his little boy on one hand I think every possible means should be used to combat DUI, but on the other I wonder if the embarrassment and trauma may make a drinking problem worse insuring even worse future problems. Of course if I had a third hand I would say what doesn't make a drinking problem worse... when I was drinking I could turn sand in my shoes into an excuse for a four day bender.

Ergo, my mixed emotions.

In reality neither shame or license revocation is going to stop a problem drinker and may even worsen the situation, but what of those normal people for which it may prove an effective tactic- maybe even preventing a DUI or slide into addiction?

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I guess I would have to say I am in support of publishing the names and mug shot of drunk drivers, but not until the person has been formally convicted though. I do not however support other tactics that seem to cross over the line from shame to outright discrimination such as in the politician that wanted special tags for convicted drunk drivers. So a little bit of shame and embarrassment may be healthy in the long run, just as long as it’s not taken overboard.