The real problem of drunken driving

Manchester Union Leader ^ | May 7, 2005 | John Doyle

[Roses0508]

I agree re "hard core". The former husband of my best friend has had DUI arrests many times over the years. Hasn't had a driver's license in 8 or 9 years. Has three DUI arrests currently working their way through the system and he is STILL driving around - often so drunk he can't stand up when he opens the truck door. What really makes me crazy, is that the police officers know him, and know his situation. At least some of them are turning their backs when they see him driving.

[Glenn]

follow the money.

[cajun-jack]

That is just plain wrong that the cops that know him let him get away with this.

On the other hand, a person going to jail just because he/she admitted they had drank a glass of wine at dinner or some such and whose BAC is well below the "legal" limit is just as wrong.

That has nothing to do with public safety. It is just "ramboism" with the cop making the arrest and a revenue generator for his/her dept.

[1FASTGLOCK45]

"Whisky bottle,
brand new car,
Oak tree YOUR in my way!"

[eastforker]

Ever been to a cop bar and see them all get in their cars and drive home? How about the cop on the motorcycle that killed himself and his wife in Austin Texas. That was after he rode his bike inside the bar, not one of the cops tried to stop him.

[ProudVet77]

Life used to be so much simpler.
The zero tolerance crowd is pathetic. It is destroying the quality of our lives.
There should be no such thing as speeding or drunk driving or running a redlight or stop sign. There should be only one reason for a ticket, driving in an unsafe manner. That covers all of the above.
While I will sit at a red light at midnight with no traffic around me, I often wonder why I do it. The purpose of the red light was to help regulate traffic and make traffic flow safer. But at midnight? No cars around you? It's silly, and waste of fuel.

[WorkingClassFilth]

I read a cost benefit analysis once about the .08% limit. The benefits were just about zip and the costs were significantly higher to achieve nothing. The .08% limit is nothing but feel good legislation to appease hand-wringers. As this article points out, the real problem is with problem drinkers who blow wa-a-a-ay beyond .08% when caught. No problem there, though, they can drive until hell freezes over. Even after a DUI conviction, they can drive on a license from another state. Heck, they can even come from any other country - illegally - and get a driver's license.

There are much bigger fish to catch and fry than worrying about some poor saps who had couple of drinks with dinner.

[bikepacker67]

Ever been to a cop bar and see them all get in their cars and drive home? How about the cop on the motorcycle that killed himself and his wife in Austin Texas. That was after he rode his bike inside the bar, not one of the cops tried to stop him.

I guess the badge has its advantages </sarc>

[Joe Brower]

"follow the money."

BINGO! We have a winner!

[relictele]

The beverage 'institute' (is that a place to learn how to imbibe?) is obviously biased, but his points are still valid.

The MADD crowd are formidable because they are generally white suburbanites (i.e., neighbors of many politicians), have plenty of time and independent money to spend on the cause, and (unfortunately) they have a flood of unending emotion spurring them on.

For the responsible drinker, it's a bad cocktail when you combine MADD with lawmakers and law enforcement types who like nothing so much as a 'defenseless' target (i.e., one who won't fight back). So, we end up at the inevitable conclusion of the legislation-and-enforcement fever of the 80s and 90s. Roadblocks for any purpose (DUI, 'safety,' seatbelts) are the most shocking example of abuse operating under the guise of enforcement.

Ask any 'normal' person who's had their first DUI - the financial costs (fines, legal, insurance) and the ordeal of court dates, treatment weekends and trying to keep/obtain work driving privileges. For better or worse, real jail time is a rarity but the plot is revealed quickly: a DUI cottage industry has grown. Locking offenders up costs money - fining them earns it. Unfortunately, we can read frequent stories about the guy charged with a 19th or 20th DUI offense. They are often destitute and have long had their licenses suspended or revoked. Still, they filter through the system time and again since they aren't a revenue producer. Why aren't they off the streets? Could it be because the roadblock was set up on a nice 4-lane boulevard in the suburbs and not by the railroad tracks next to the coke plant?

And no, I haven't had a DUI.

[1FASTGLOCK45]

bikepacker67 wrote:

I guess the badge has its advantages </sarc>

--> Sadly enough your right, even i thought of going thru the legal hassles to get a "badge" just to have one. I could care less about being in law enforcement but a badge gives you a little step above the rest at times.

[EBH]

You know this guy really hits this. I am a very petite individual and it would take me drinking a whole lot more, than what I currently do, to reach that magic .08. If I am at or near a .08, I wouldn't be able to walk right let alone get behind the wheel of a car(just my situation).

Some people may be a bit different, but for me I know where my limits are and wouldn't be anywhere close. It is just wrong for cops to arrest people for having a drink or two. And if they haven't broken the the law...leave them alone.

[Normal4me]

Built a house one time for a cop. Came in on a sunday morning to do some final punchout work and found a truck and a boat stuck and jacknifed in the ungraded lot out front. Upon entering this unfinished home, I found him and his five buddies sleeping on the slab floor. They said they were so drunk from fishing that this is far as they could make it!

[shadeaud]

I am troubled by the ''Road Block'' method of investigation. If they can stop your car and check your breath, when will they be allowed to check you for paying your taxes on time or licensing your pet with the ASPCA at these CHECKPOINTS

[whereasandsoforth]

I joined DAMM years ago after I realized this mass hysteria over alcohol drinking and driving was nothing more than liberals trying to control people. MADD went mad and off course a long time ago, to the point they no longer have any resemblance to their original intent.

Common sense would tell you that we have to stop all restaurant alcohol sales because people get to restaurants in their cars. But for some reason, that doesn't seem to be the problem. Selling alcohol in a remote local away from a person's home is fine. Just don't try to leave and go home. That's when the trouble starts.

Oh yeah, its also all about extracting as much money out of the public as possible and putting it in the bank accounts of cities, bail bond shops and law firms. Don forget the lawyers.

[eastforker]

Ever seen a "deputy's mom" badge they have in Texas? That is also a free pass.

[pageonetoo]

"Follow the money" right to the lawyers. This is no different from the WO(some)D. It allows lawyers to collect big fees for "getting you out of something"...

Hey, yachts and Beemers are expensive...

[Glenn]

>>right to the lawyers

and insurance companies.

[halfright]

If drinking and driving are illegal, why are there parking lots at bars??

Why no DUI checkpoint at the exit of Pro sports games.

its all BS....anyone of us has been behind the wheel at over .08......we just never got caught...YET..