If people knew they faced life in prison, they'd be more careful about their driving while drunk.
No, they wouldn't. Humans have a remarkable ability to think bad things and irresponsibility are things that hapen to someone else. It's the other guy who's a danger driving drunk, and/or will get pulled over. It's the other guy who had the frivolous lawsuit. I'm more than capable of handling my drink. My grievance is real. Etc.