By Dan Towery, For the Journal and Courier

Wayne Fountain made several bad decisions when he allegedly drove drunk, wrecked his truck and then didn't inform the police of the crash. What does it take for someone to understand that driving drunk is unacceptable and a danger not only to themselves, but also to others?

Once an excessive amount of alcohol has been consumed, motor skills are slowed, reaction time is reduced, and the person may not be able to control their vehicle. It is considered a criminal act in Indiana to get behind the wheel with a blood alcohol content over 0.08 percent and attempt to operate a motor vehicle. Even though Wayne Fountain has seen literally thousands of OWI cases in the seven years he has served as magistrate, has sentenced some of these offenders, and has heard many different excuses and promises not to drive drunk again, apparently he didn't think the law applied to him.

We are all human and make mistakes. However, as I tell every group that I speak to on the dangers of driving drunk, there may be unintended consequences of doing this. It may involve being arrested, crashing your vehicle and causing property damage, or injuring or killing yourself or some innocent person. Every time one drives drunk they are rolling the dice as to the unintended consequences. But there is one thing in common with every one of these unintended consequences, someone consciously decides to consume numerous alcoholic beverages and then decides to drive their vehicle.

Fountain may be the exception, but law enforcement will tell you that when one is caught for OWI, the person usually has a history of driving while impaired. There is no evidence available to suggest that Fountain has previously driven while impaired, but that is one of the questions that needs to be answered.

Assuming Fountain has no other convictions in his past, he is probably looking at some type of official reprimand. In addition, he also has the time suspended without pay from his job as magistrate.

However, the job as magistrate is not an ordinary job. It is a high-profile position that invites public scrutiny of ones behavior when it involves a criminal act. We have a right to have higher standards for those elected to office, prosecutors, police and others in a position of public trust. When one accepts a public position, it involves a certain level of trust and responsibility to the public they are serving. Setting an example goes with the territory with these positions.

Although Fountain was not elected to his position, judges who were elected selected him to be the magistrate. They placed their trust and confidence in Fountain to represent them in the courtroom and to conduct himself in a responsible fashion when away from the courthouse. Fountain broke that trust when he allegedly drove drunk, wrecked his truck and injured himself.

How can Fountain look another OWI offender in the eye and pronounce judgment? It would seem that he no longer has the credibility to sit in a judge's chair and demand the respect from offenders that automatically comes with the position.

Fountain's criminal case should not involve special penalties or special favors. However, Fountain needs to be accountable for his actions and should do the ethical thing -- resign his position as magistrate. Respect and trust are not automatic, they must be earned. Resigning would be the first step in regaining his respect.