Paralleling Their Stance on Face Masks, Will 32 States Soften Drinking and Driving Laws?

In recent months, 18 state governors, both Democrat and Republican, have affirmed laws regarding risky behaviors that protect all of their respective citizens. The idea that an individual’s selfishness or stubbornness or ignorance, or all combined, should NOT put fellow citizens in danger. Among other risky behaviors, this includes laws forbidding drinking alcohol and driving.

Still, that leaves 32 state governors and the White House who disagree and seem quite timid to support state-wide laws protecting the greater good. Some offer loose recommendations, others do not address the issue at all. They reject the notion that “we are all in this together” and should look out for each other. 

Why so many? Socio-cultural research has ranked the United States as the most individualistic country-culture globally. That is, in the aggregate, more than any other country we look out for ourselves first and not for the greater collective good. We are also a very short-term oriented culture, comparatively desiring more immediate satisfaction (e.g.; deficit spending and associated debt) with little regard how it plays out in the future.

In one of the 32 laggard states, the Ohio governor meekly “suggests” that citizens should act responsibly regarding risky behavior. Good. Still, he also opines that Ohioans will never stand for being told what to do and how to behave and thus is afraid to create any law. Similarly, that sentiment is echoed, more or less articulately, by the governors of Texas, Florida, and more. It is also not only encouraged, but congratulated in Washington D.C.

As a result, will these states, with federal government support, now begin to repeal laws prohibiting drinking and driving? It has been discussed. After all, will citizens of these 32 states “stand” for being told they must protect themselves and their neighbors through limits on their freedom to drive? Interestingly, these states may already be waning in their enforcement. When comparing incidents of driving while drinking on a state-by-state per capita basis, there is a correlation to the recent political cowardice requiring simple, basic state-wide laws that would prevent the spread of Covid-19.

I guess this irresponsibility is politically expedient as these governors, in splendid cravenness, squirm to stay in power as a new generation is poised to lead. To conclude, please be careful if driving west on I-70. After leaving Pennsylvania, other than an oasis in Illinois, it may be a dangerous ride until you reach Nevada.