Last update - 00:00 02/08/2007
IDF mulling dismissal of career servicemen for drunk driving
By Yuval Azoulay , Haaretz Correspondent
The Israel Defense Forces is mulling the possibility of abrogating contracts with career military servicemen caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
A senior officer said Thursday that head of IDF Manpower Directorate Major General Elazar Stern supports the initiative, which was recently brought to his attention.
The army plans to consult with the Military Advocate General about the legality of such disciplinary measures, which would equate punishment for inebriated driving to drug use.
"A commander who drinks and drives is not worthy of being in the IDF," a senior army officer said.
According to an army source, the Defense Ministry spends over NIS 100 million annually treating soldiers and their relatives hurt in traffic accidents.
In 2008, the IDF plans to spend NIS 7 million in educating soldiers to drive safely while on leave.
As part of the plan, IDF recruits will be taught proper road conduct, even if their service does not require them to drive a vehicle.
In the past, the army had run a similar program that was discontinued due to a lack of funds.
An IDF officer said the program proved to be effective, and that soldiers who participated were not involved in traffic accidents.