Driving intoxicated: Is hospital admission protective against legal ramifications?

摘要

To the Editor: The problem of intoxicated driving is significant; however, progress has been made. Cheek et al. are commended for providing warning as to how the hospital may serve as a sanctuary for the intoxicated injured driver from the "long arm of the law." By retrospectively examining records, they found that only 18% of intoxicated drivers (Blood Alcohol Level > 0.08 g/dL) received a charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI). The authors state that "deterrents that prevent law enforcement agencies from being able to obtain evidence needed for prosecution should be eliminated. Health care providers and law enforcement agencies should work as a team to help mitigate the incidence of drunk driving and its burden on society."