Observations on Drunk Driving

In the case of Phyllis Hall and the five people she killed while driving drunk, perhaps a jury would not have been concerned with the fact that the victims (including the driver) were also drunk--but I certainly take it into account.

Even if (and it’s a big “if”) the accident victim’s reactions were not impaired by her intoxication, there’s one thing for the victims’ families to remember. There, but for the grace of God, go they. The roles in this complicated tragedy could easily have been reversed. So, before they go out on the vengeance trail, let them remember that drunk driving is a crime, the result of which is often suicide.

ELIZA GARRETT SIMONS

Woodland Hills