Do Victim Talks Benefit DWI Offenders?

B O S T O N, Oct. 11 -- Gene Gierek, 46, recognizes apathy in an alcoholic’s eyes.

Every month, Gierek drives down to the First Congregational Church in Bellvue, Wash., and pleads with drunk drivers at “victim impact panels” to consider the potential effect on victims when they get behind the wheel. But for many, the message never gets through.

“To be honest, it probably sinks in about 10 percent [of the time],” he says. “You can see it in their face — when the light has turned on or when the light never even came on.”

Shaming Drunk Drivers Started in the 1980s, victim impact panels are court-ordered programs where drunk drivers come face to face with those who have lost loved ones to their crime. The hope is that hearing the devastating effects of their action will shame drunken drivers into not becoming repeat offenders.

But research remains inconclusive about these panels: The programs may only prevent very few people from drinking and driving again. Yet proponents of the panels say they at least help some people. Doubters, however, say they may be a waste of resources and believe different preventive measures, such as lowering the blood alcohol limit, might be a better way to prevent drunk driving.

Although Gierek speaks at these meetings, he is not a victim. Thirteen years ago, on the night of his best friend’s 33rd birthday, Gierek passed out behind the wheel and struck a guardrail, instantly killing his companion. After serving 42 months in jail, Gierek was still drinking and driving and was arrested a second time.

It wasn’t until he attended — and began speaking himself — at a victim impact panel that he was able to finally get sober.

Panels Widespread Victim impact panels began in Washington and in Massachusetts, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving has helped coordinate the programs since 1982. Since then, they have become a mandated part of the judicial system in around 300 counties within 46 states, with fees collected from the offenders to perpetuate the programs.