Are fines better than prevention for drunk driving?

Is an ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure?

Or is a stick more effective than a carrot?

Since we're in the most dangerous driving time of year, it's a good time to think about ways to make summertime driving safe.

According to WalletHub, Nebraska is No. 6 when it comes to imposing the harshest penalties on drunk driving.

We're No. 2 in minimum jail time for first offense, seventh for second offense fourth for how long old DUI factors into penalties, sixth in administrative license suspension, fourth for minimum fine on first offense, 12th on minimum fine for second offense, and fifth for the average insurance rate increase after a DUI conviction.

How well does that strategy work?

Nebraska's in the middle of the pack when it comes to the percentage of 2013 traffic deaths caused by drunk driving, 28 percent, according to MADD. The state with the highest rate is South Carolina with 44 percent; the lowest Utah with 17 percent.

Nebraska ranks only 32 in DUI prevention, according to WalletHub, considering factors such as whether ignition interlock is mandatory and for how long, whether alcohol abuse assessment and/or treatment is mandatory, vehicle impoundment after arrest, administrative license suspension, the average insurance rate increase, a 'no-refusal" initiative for rapid search warrants for sobriety testing, and sobriety checkpoints.

In case you're tempted to drink and drive while visiting other states, don't expect to be treated with kid gloves.

Generally, according to WalletHub, first time offenders should expect to spend, on average, a minimum 1 day in jail, while those who are at their second offense should expect at least 21 days in jail.

Arizona has the longest minimum jail term for first time offenders (a minimum of 10 days), while West Virginia has the longest minimum sentence for second time offenders (180 days).

In 37 states, alcohol abuse assessment and/or treatment is mandatory, and in 39, local law enforcement regularly sets up sobriety checkpoints.

On average expect to have your license suspended for at least 3 months after being stopped for a DUI -- even before trial -- as most states "administratively" suspend licenses after arrest. Georgia will suspend a license for the longest period (up to 12 months), while 7 states do not have administrative license suspensions.

After a first arrest with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or more, an "ignition Interlock device" is mandatory in 24 states. In another 14 states, this device is mandatory after a first offense only if BAC is above .15. In 7 states, these devices are mandatory only after a second offense, and in 6 states the device is never required.

Red states are stricter on DUIs, with an average ranking of 23.0, compared to 28.2 for blue states (1 = Strictest).

Nebraska's DUI laws are listed here.

The best prevention, of course, is never driving after drinking -- then there will be no need for a cure.

Which states have the toughest DUI laws?