Page 12/The Battalion/Friday, May 8, 1987 DWI (Continued from page 1) light or drive far above or below the speed limit. We just keep a lookout for any behavior that is out of the ordinary.” Garmon said there are several ways to avoid a DWI charge. “One of the best things to do is use the designated driver pro gram,” he said. “If four or five people go out in a group, one can agree not to drink and just be a driver. Everybody can still have a good time and no one gets in trouble,” he said. Many local bartenders will call a taxi for patrons they think are too drunk to drive home. “A taxi may cost $10 or $15,” Garmon said, “but it is a lot cheaper than paying for a DWI.” Brazos Gounty Attorney Jim Kuboviak said one of the factors contributing to the number of drunk drivers is Texas’ lack of an open container law. “Greating such a law wouldn’t solve the problem,” he said, “but it is a big factor.” Lalk agreed, saying, “I think the best thing Texas could do is pass an open container law. The fact that the law says it’s legal to drink while vou’re driving but it’s not legal to be intoxicated sends a double message about drinking and driving.” Lalk said Texans have an atti tude of tolerance. “I think that if the attitude were such that drinking and driving is dangerous, things would change a little,” she said. “But as it is, kids grow up think ing it’s OK to drive while they are drinking.” Aside from an open container law, she said, there are other ways to decrease the number of drunk drivers. “More of a maximum sen tence for convicted drunk driv ers could help,” she said. “Right now, the maximum sentence is five years in prison, which usually means four to seven months, and then the driver is back on the street.” Lalk said Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has made people more aware of the drunk driving problem. “MADD’s horror stories and publication of drunk drivinp sla tistics have made people aware that there is a problem,” she said. “The organization gets so much publicity that people may be starting to listen and to be more careful about driving drunk.” People who insist on driving drunk often don’t realize the damage they can cause, Lalk said. “Fifty-seven percent of all highway deaths are alcohol-rela ted,” she said. “We should start educating kids about the dan gers of driving drunk. “Kids just don’t think any thing bad is really going to hap pen,” she said. “Most of the kids who are picked up for drunk driving are on their way home from a bar or a private party and either think they are OK to drive or just don’t consider the possi ble consequences of their ac tions. “If kids who drive drunk could go through a morgue and see the body of a 16-year-old who was hit hy a drunk driver and t ; 1 k with the families they could see what grief driving drunk can cause.” Battalion Classified 845-2611 Senate rejects men chose for Texas board of pardons AUSTIN (AP) — The Senate on Thursday rejected two appointees to the State Board of Pardons and Pa roles after a senator — who called the appointees “eminently qualified” — said boards and commissions need to be better balanced by race, sex, age and finances. The Senate vote to confirm Henry Keene of Dallas and Ghris Mealy of Georgetown was 17-11, two short of the two-thirds needed f or approval. James Huffines, appointments secretary for Republican Gov* Bill Clements, said, “I think it’s a blatant display of partisan politics.” All 1 1 senators voting against the nominess are Democrats. “We didn’t hear one single sen ator today question their qualifica tions, and that’s a disservice to the people of Texas,” Huf fines said. Sen. Craig Washington, D-Hous- ton, said, “My vote against them has absolutely nothing to do with their qualifications, because there’s no question, in my personal judgment, that they are eminently qualified and will do a good job.” However, Washington said, “It is still important to many people in this state — black, brown and white, men and women, rich and poor, old and young — that they see someone simi lar to themselves on these various boards and agencies.” When two minorities are replaced by white, male individuals, “It sends the wrong signal,” said Washington, a black senator. He acknowledged later that he mistakenly thought that only one minority member re mained on the board. Actually, there are two. “At some point, sooner or later, we as individuals and as members of this Senate have to take a stand,” Washington said. “ I know of no other wavu ing a signal to t his govern other governor, that weexi there be lair representat the board on all these commissions for black brown people, lor wonietj white, black, brown, old; rit h and poor,” he said. Shuttle astronoufs family agrees to lawsuit settlemei HOUSTON (AP) — The widow and children of Challenger astro naut Ronald K. McNair agreed Thursday to settle their lawsuit against rocket maker Morton I hio- kol Inc., attorneys said. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, and case records were sealed after the agreement was reached in the chambers of U.S. Dis trict Judge Carl O. Bue. “My family has amicably and equi tably concluded legal proceedings against Morton Thiokol,” Chervl McNair said in a written statement. “The American legal system has functioned as it should in a free so ciety.” McNair’s attorney, Ronald Krist, said the agreement avoided a poten tially long and costly trial. "We’re happy that it'soi and reasonably resolved,’’! “ The Mc Nairs have beent enough and the resolution I has brought a lot of comfort;| lives.” An agreement in principltj lawsuit was reached alxiuuj ago. but Krist added thatthj required Bue’s active appm c ause minors were involved Ronald McNair, who* |an. 28, 1986, along withs when the shuttle Challed ploded shortly after liftoff] survived by a 5-year-old »:| daughter w ho is almost3. Other relatives also jointcj suit that was filed last SeJ and did not specify the ar I damages sought. • Books • Gifts • Supplies Hours: M-F 7:45-6 Sat 9-5 845-6681 CLASSES IN HOUSTON PRE-LAW? PRE-PARE! Phone (713) 524-571 details and dates. 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