The problem is big and deep. Biggest problems-

-Not allowing neighborhood taverns to open in residential areas.
-Complete lack of reliable or in many cases ANY public transit outside of urban areas.
-Poor planning placing residential areas outside of walking distance from commercial areas.

It has nothing to do with penalties & fines, if you don't think so ask anyone who's had a DUI lately. They average over $10,000 after all is said and done.

People are going to drink no matter what. Prohibition taught us that. If you put the bait 10 miles away people will do what they feel they need to in order to get it, But when it comes to some guy wanting to open a neighborhood Pub on a corner, you get a bunch of blue nosed old women screeching like harpies at the next city council meeting.