Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 48 minutes (CDC). This petition was created toask the government to initiate stricter first time offender penalties for alcohol impaired individuals who drive and subsequently take the lives of innocent victims. A no tolerance sentence; such asa minimum sentence of 10 years for each victim, would dissuade many individuals from drinking and driving; therefore, decreasing the number of fatalities.

Lester Tyrone Levine Jr., 15, of North Carolina passed away on September 13, 2013 in a tragic motor vehicle accident involving a drunk driver. Lester and numerous others are innocent victims given death sentences by drunk drivers.

In 2012, there were 402 drunk driving deaths in NC. A 4.6% increase from the 359 drunk driving deaths in 2011(MADD). Statistics show that almost twice as many people die in vehicle crashes per year than by any other form of homicide. Also, more people are murdered in crashes where alcohol is involved per year than are killed by guns (Anelli Xavier). Fatalities that result from drinking and driving are 100% preventable and this petition is just the first step in the right direction.

According to North Carolina law, the maximum sentence first time DWI offenders can recieve is5 years and the minimum can be jail time or probation. According to the statistics mentioned above a permanent solution to decrease the number of fatalities is needed. A no tolerance policy would decrease the number fatalities related to alcohol impaired driving.

Please sign this petition and support the families of drunk driving victims and prevent another family from experiencing the devastation, loss, and hopelessness that comes from tragically losing a loved one. No one should ever have to endure such pain when it is preventable.