Should A Drunk Driver Get the Death Penalty?

Not too long ago I read a story about a truck carrying 12 ½ tons of rock salt that swerved to avoid a car that was being driven by someone who allegedly was driving under the influence. Fortunately, nobody was injured.

However, this incident brings to mind some interesting questions…

Since nobody was reported as being hurt, should the person driving under the influence have a lesser charge simply because there were no fatalities? And if someone was killed, should the drunk driver too receive the death penalty? You have to take into account that these drunk drivers do not intentionally drink and drive to kill someone.
On the other side of the coin, we can only assume that most drunk people who get behind the wheel are fully aware of the consequences of their actions. Therefore, they should be accountable for their actions. There’s an interesting article by Professor David J. Hanson where he sites MADD’s arguments:

1. “drinking and driving is a choice that the driver makes and therefore it is intentional” and that

2. “a drunk driver knows or should know that getting behind the wheel will likely cause serious injury or death to him/herself or innocent people on the roadways.”

3. Therefore, a person who drives while intoxicated intentionally causes injury or death because the driver should know that he/she will likely kill or seriously injure someone

Again, let’s just hope that people learn their lessons because if you’re arrested for a DUI in San Diego you’ll definitely have to put up a good fight and pay the consequences. Is it worth it?