This week, we celebrate the two-year anniversary of Arizona enacting some of the toughest DUI laws in the nation — and arguably the world. In September 2007, a law went into effect requiring Arizona drivers convicted of DUI to install Breathalyzers into cars for continued driving.

There’s plenty of controversy around our state’s DUI enforcement. And there’s plenty of room for debate. How hard have we hit otherwise law-abiding citizens enjoying a glass of wine at dinner? Technically, since Arizona law says you can’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs “impaired to the slightest degree,” a .01 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) could result in jail time.

Regardless of the debate behind the law, there’s one thing overwhelmingly clear from our state’s legislation: It is virtually impossible to ever justify driving buzzed in this state. The costs are too high. The punishment is too severe. The effect of a DUI on one’s employment is devastating.

Take John, a hypothetical ASU student. John is financially capable of losing, say, $20,000 — and it’s no big deal. John has great back-up options for getting a job, and his criminal record doesn’t matter.

Either because he’s mistakenly convinced of his drunk driving competence or he doesn’t care, and causing damage or injury isn’t a concern. And Tent City, along with the actions and stated goals of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, doesn’t concern him either.

Unless your situation is similar to John’s (highly unlikely), it’s impossible to rationalize driving with a few drinks. A taxi or designated driver is a hassle, but those costs could be drastically higher and still not compare to the price of a DUI, legal fees, increased insurance, decreased employment options, etc.

Under the assumption that being drunk impairs driving performance (it does), there’s really no argument here. Of course, none of that scrapes the surface of the moral implications of drunk driving, which are equally damning.

In 2007, when the harsher law took effect in Arizona, about one in seven Arizona drivers drove drunk, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The national average was pretty similar at 15.1 percent, ranging from Utah’s 9.5 percent low to Wisconsin’s 26.4 percent high.

Without much dispute, these numbers are unacceptable.

Even when ignoring the ethical problems with drinking and driving (it’s arguably worse than using meth, for instance, since drug use is often considered a “victimless” crime), Arizona’s DUI laws have effectively made it impossible to ever justify drunk driving. Not that people always behave rationally — clearly, a large number of drivers see a benefit, social or otherwise, to avoiding the underwhelming challenge of finding a sober ride.

They’re all wrong. Especially in this state.

Reach Matt at matt.culbertson@asu.edu.