To the editor:According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11,654 people died in car crashes involving drunk drivers in 2020. This accounted for 30% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States and a 14.3% increase from 2019. Thirty-two deaths per day (one every 45 minutes) involve a drunk driver. (“Extending last call to 4 a.m. in California? We’ll drink to that,” editorial, Aug. 30)
That's why I'm extremely angry at the California Legislature for approving a 4:00 a.m. last call for VIPs at the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Shockingly, adding two hours to the last call will put these drunk drivers on the road just as the first shift workers are heading to work.
Shame on California lawmakers for caving to the alcohol industry and the Intuit Dome, who will now increase their profits, possibly at the cost of lives.
Ellen Faulk, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Unless they arrive by chauffeured vehicle or public transportation, bar patrons who drink until 4 a.m. in California will have driven there (and left) in a private car just as the workday begins. They will blend in with the mass of private vehicles and truck traffic on our highways and streets.
One beer, one cocktail, or enough wine or marijuana will reduce a vehicle operator's ability to drive safely to some degree.
Everyone believes that a person who falls drunk should not drive. Unfortunately, most of us who think of ourselves as moderate drinkers do not read (or believe) the numerous studies that demonstrate the more subtle (but real) dangers of “moderate” drinking and driving.
Several other countries have, understandably, enacted total bans on drink-driving.
Mark Davidson, Santa Ana
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To the editor: I completely disagree with you.
Last week, two handsome, responsible and talented young hockey players were killed by a drunk driver in New Jersey. And you are, in effect, advocating putting more drunks on the road by allowing alcohol to be served after 2 a.m.?
We don't want any more drunk drivers killing innocent people. I plan to call Governor Gavin Newsom and beg him to veto this bill. I urge you to do the same.
Laura R. Norris, San Diego
