It would be great if drunk driving were taken as seriously here. In most places it isn;t- and people offend and offend again - with minor slaps on the wrist - and continue driving - with or without a license. I'm a great believer in confiscating the car if someone is found driving drunk - since that seems to be the only fairly reliable way of stopping them from doing it again.

Here in Europe, the driver's license will be confiscated if you drive under influence - this is a really severe punishment.

In order to get a driver's license, you have to attend a special school and take lessons. The process lasts at least three months and the cost is around 2,000 Euros. This is sufficient to keep teens from driving under influence.

Let me add another thought:

Here in Europe, kids usually start at the age of 12 or 13 drinking alcohol (first under parental supervision, later on their own). This way, they learn to deal with alcohol early (of course, including some binge drinking experiences).

I always have the impression that the U.S. teens are much less responsible with alcohol, mainly because it is forbidden to them.

Internationally, there is a clear correlation between alcoholism and strictness of anti-alcohol laws. The countries with very strict laws (Scandinavian countries, UK, Ireland, USA have the biggest problems with alcoholism).

>>Internationally, there is a clear correlation between alcoholism and strictness of anti-alcohol laws. . .(Scandinavian countries, UK, Ireland, USA have the biggest problems with alcoholism).<<

Interesting. I always suspected it was related to the weather.