Historical Context
The first bill ever passed against driving a car while under the influence went into effect in 1910 in New York. Although the first car crash was in 1897. Laws should have been passed right after the first incident to prevent more crashes. Around this time was also when Dr. Rolla Harger a professor of biochemistry and toxicology was being allowed by the government to invest and build in a device being called the drunkometer. This device was a balloon like device that would determine if the person was intoxicated. Later Robert Borkenstein a former Indiana state police captain and university professor who had collaborated with Harger invented a more practical easier to use and more accurate meter called the breathalyzer.
The awareness of this problem wasn't well known back in the early years. It wasn't until the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. When lawmakers and police officers began to notice these types of crashes, they got tougher on offenders. This meant that there were many crashes that made this such a big issue and not many payed attention to it. One big event that happened that made a big effect was in 1980 when Cany Lighter a lady from California founded Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). After her 13 year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver while walking home from a school carnival.
The awareness of this problem wasn't well known back in the early years. It wasn't until the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. When lawmakers and police officers began to notice these types of crashes, they got tougher on offenders. This meant that there were many crashes that made this such a big issue and not many payed attention to it. One big event that happened that made a big effect was in 1980 when Cany Lighter a lady from California founded Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). After her 13 year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver while walking home from a school carnival.