If this doesn’t tell you the system is broken, what will? People are literally dying, not just cyclists, but pedestrians and other motorists, because drunk drivers who are caught & “dealt with” are still out there on the streets, killing people.

This was from Today’s local newspaper, one with a police blotter that, for some cities, names names. I’ve blurred out last names out of misplaced concern for those involved, although frankly, three out of four of these people are not worthy of the benefit of the doubt that our justice system provides. You and I should not be placed at risk because somebody who’s not allowed to drive is out there, driving.

Bringing this close to home, last week local rider Laura Stern was one of 5 cyclists mowed down by a DUI driver with a sordid past. She was pinned under a car for 30 minutes, broke her neck, and amazingly, will be back on a bike in three months.

Perhaps real-time tracking is something that needs to be imposed on all DUI convictions, something where a passing police officer or CHP sees a red light flashing in the presence of such a person, and if that happens to be someone seen driving a car, bang, you pull them over and lock them up. They can be completely sober, driving responsibly, and be subject to immediate incarceration and severe punishment. That might get a few off the streets, and might convince a few more not to try.

We have to do something. We can’t let this continue. We have the power to stop at least some of the carnage. How can we not have the will and find the means to do so?