Editorial: Come down hard on repeat offenders

Some may consider home visits from police to be harassment, but others think it might be just what repeat drink-drivers need to stop their dangerous habit.
As reported in this newspaper, Eastern Bay of Plenty police have started visiting repeat drink-drivers at home, talking to them about the risks they pose to the community by continuously drinking and driving. They're also putting them on notice that they are being watched and they will be caught.
In the face of nothing else seeming to work, with messages in public campaigns preaching to the converted and ignored by those who need to take notice, the police have come up with an innovative approach and one that might just shame at least a few into putting a stop to their drink-drive habits.
It might also kick their families into gear, perhaps get them involved in finding help for the culprit or doing what they can to prevent them from driving while drunk again.
Jail doesn't appear to be an option courts consider until someone has re-offended several times - and even when they officially lose their licences, many drink-drivers still get behind the wheel again.
These people are an absolute menace on our roads, a danger to everyone around them and the police should be congratulated for trying a new tactic.
It will undoubtedly be a time-consuming approach but if the messages the police convey are heeded by even a few drink-drivers, our communities will be much safer.
Rotorua Coroner Dr Wallace Bain has re-opened the inquest into the death of 23-year-old Whittney Robertson at the hands of drunk driver Royland McCann. It was his fourth conviction for drink-driving and he is now serving a four-year jail term.
Dr Bain has re-opened the inquest to hear evidence about what is being done to combat drink-driving, presumably with a mind to making some strong recommendations.
It's not often coroners are listened to by our government or its departments to the extent that their recommendations lead to new initiatives or legislation, but if he is able to suggest ways to rid our roads of drink-drivers it's to be hoped someone in power will take note.
Something certainly needs to be done. What we've been doing so far doesn't seem to be working.