Whatcom County DUI Victim Impact
Panel
 The Victim Impact Panel (VIP) is dedicated to reducing DUI
(driving under the influence) related injuries and fatalities
in Whatcom County. Speakers on the VIP share personal testimonies
on how a DUI has impacted them, either personally or through
the loss or injury of a family member or loved one. The VIP
has had a long history of providing a powerful voice about
the consequences of impaired driving. The panel exposes the
harsh realities of impaired driving, and it creates an appreciation
of the seriousness of driving while impaired.
Currently, VIP Speakers participate in monthly panel nights
attended by individuals arrested for DUI offenses. Panels
typically consist of two or three speakers who, in a non-accusatory
manner, describe the emotional, social, financial, and/or
other effects a DUI tragedy has caused in their lives.
Some speakers also choose to share their stories at schools
and
other community events.
The Whatcom County Health Department is continually looking
for panelists. If you have been impacted by a DUI and are
interested in speaking on the panel, please contact the Whatcom
County Health Department at 360-676-6724.
Visitors Tell How Panels Affect Them
The following comments are from individuals attending DUI
Victim Impact Panels across Washington State.
We don’t have a death hanging over us:
"
The impact of the panel is awesome. No one can feel the same
as they felt when they walked in, when they walk out. We
are the lucky ones, in that we don’t have a death
hanging over us."
An immense flow of emotion:
"
I cannot critique such as immense flow of emotion that I
can’t even fathom. By the blood of my soul, I will
not drink and drive, and I will fight with tooth and nail
those who dare."
I used to think...
"As a first time offender of DWI, I used to think
that the sentencing was too strict; now, I believe it is
not strict
enough."
A decision to take control:
" Thank you for caring. And, most of all, thank
you for helping me make a decision in my life to take control
of my own destiny."
Totally overwhelmed:
"
I am so totally overwhelmed by this that I cannot adequately
put my feelings down on paper. Reality is really difficult
to deal with. When I think of what I could have caused,
I become very grateful and yet I know I didn’t take
the time to think things out. I really sincerely believe
you
have removed one more drinking driver from the roads.”
A room so quiet :
" I have not sat in a room with this amount of
people and had a room so quiet.”
I don’t want to tell a story like I’ve
heard tonight :
"
I sincerely hope that I do not have to ever sit up front
like you people and tell a story like I’ve heard tonight."
Glad I was ordered by the Court to come:
" I was very deeply moved by this panel. I am truly
glad I was ordered by the court to come here."
Scares the hell out of me:
“ I can honestly say that it scares the hell out
of me to think I could inflict this pain on anyone. It
will never happen
again.”
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