The conversation surrounding the problem, repeat drunk driver is a little bit like the gun debate raging in this country.
Very simply, if someone wants to climb behind the wheel while impaired, currently there is very little that can stop them.
It's the same argument about guns. Make all the laws you want, but if a criminal wants to get his or her hands on a gun, they likely will be able to do so.
That is the price we pay - some might say a very steep one - for living in a free society.
That does not mean we should not make it as difficult for someone to commit these kinds of crimes as possible.
You can suspend the drunk driver's driving privileges, that does not mean that person is not going to drive drunk.
Richard and Roseann DeRosa learned that lesson the hard way.
It cost them their beautiful daughter, Deana.
Deana Eckman was killed last February by a drunk driver - who had already racked up five DUI offenses.
David Strowhouer was out on probation at the time - only because he was allowed to serve the sentence for his fifth offense concurrently with time imposed for his fourth and fifth transgressions.
They vowed to seek changes in the law - so that others would not have to endure the horror they are facing.
Thus came Deana's Law, introduced at the Delaware County Courthouse yesterday by the DeRosas, along with state Sen. Tom Killion, R-9 o f Middletown, and Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland.
The measure would stiffen many of the penalties for repeat drunk drivers, including confiscation of vehicles.
But the real key is using technology to make sure a person who is under the influence cannot operate a car.
You can get the details here.<
This one should sail through Harrisburg.
It's an important change in dealing with the scourge of the repeat drunk driver.
And it's being done in Deana's name
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