'Booze It & Lose It' Yields 1,137 DWI Arrests in Second Week, 6,469 seat belt violations

releases.usnewswire.com ^

[SoDak]

In SD, they don't warn you, they throw them up under a hill. I've been thru three already this summer, and all three times I was coming come from a late work issue. It's a revenue scam. It's a catch-all for any and all possible infractions that will allow them to "tax" you. I see nothing constitutional about it whatsoever.

[Liberal Classic]

I have no problem with the police setting up a dragnet to apprehend fugitives. I do have a problem with such checkpoints being a regular part of daily American life. If you really want to combat drunk driving, recruit more patrol and motorcycle police. The best way to spot drunk drivers is to be in traffing observing how people are driving.

Do you remember when mandatory seat-belt laws were being debated, it was asserted that no one would ever be pulled over for not wearing a seat-belt. It was to be only a secondary offense or fine on top of whatever traffic violation you were pulled over for. How soon we forget.

[lwd]

This must be Easley's solution to the buget deficit.

[SoDak]

Exactly. Soon, every road will have them. We'll find searches routine and people will accept it. Nobody seems to want to raise a stink about how people are treated at airports these days. It's all incremental.

[sit-rep]

bttt...

[lwd]

In North Carolina, drunk drivers lose their license on the spot and more:
Tab for first-time DWI offender

Fines $4,000
Average Yearly Insurance Increase $2,660
Attorney's Fees $1,000
Jury Trial - Appeals $1,000
Court Costs - District Court $90
Court Costs - Superior Court $115
Alternative Transportation $250
Substance Abuse Assessment/Treatment $350
Alcohol/Drug Education Traffic School $75
License Reinstatement Fees $100

---

Total $9,640

http://www.ncdot.org/secretary/ghsp/BoozeIt/dwitab.html

[Positive]

"...my opinion the idea of a roadblock is about as foreign to a free society as it gets..."

When you put it that way, I completely agree.

In fact let me offer you a parallel: I used to live in Temecula in Southern Calif. The town is on I-15.

Four and one half miles South of Temecula is an INS checkpoint. (This is a minimum of an hour drive North of the Mexican border.) Well many people from Temecula drive South to San Diego for work or play and every time they return they are subjected to this "roadblock" and heaven forbid they've encountered some illegals a mile or two ahead of you - then the wait could be 15 to 30 minutes.

In fact about ten years ago the INS attempted to apprehend some illegals at this "checkpoint," the illegals attempted to escape, the high speed chase got into Temecula near a school and 10 children were hit and 4 died.

So 'nuf said - roadblocks bad.

[lwd]

For those caught with their belts down, a seat belt violation costs $25. Under North Carolina, this fine goes to local schools. Millions of dollars have been given to local school districts because of "Click It or Ticket."

http://www.ncdot.org/secretary/ghsp/ClickIt/clickit.html

[PleaseNoMore]

My last seatbelt ticket in January cost me 75.00 here in Moore County, NC. I hear they are going up though to around 200.00. I am not sure if that is a rumor or not so don't "quote me". :o)

[Dr Warmoose]

I have no problem with the police setting up a dragnet to apprehend fugitives.

Then the War on Drugs is a just cause, as long as they have a procedure for detecting smugglers, dealers and users.

Thanks.

[DoughtyOne]

I have seldom seen anyone caught at those illegal immigration checkpoints. I'll guarantee you one thing though, if they weren't there every other car would have fifteen people in them.

[TaxRelief]

Officially 9,640 dollars or just hire a good lawyer for $400 and he pays a DMV employee under the table to enter a lesser charge. That's what those in the know do.

[TaxRelief]

Millions of dollars have been given to local school districts because of "Click It or Ticket."

Easley didn't confiscate that money, too?

[Xenalyte]

Boy, if they were drinking Michelob Ultra, they'd have to take on a boatload to even catch a buzz.

[Xenalyte]

If the car is in motion, then no. At that point, it becomes a weapon. If, however, the car is parked, I think we should be able to sit in it and imbibe freely. Why anyone would want to, I have no idea.

Please stop calling us libertines. It's about as funny as "liberaltarian" - which is to say, not in the slightest.

[Xenalyte]

Lunatic Libertarian Alert!

How do you figure?

[zoyd]

Lunatic Libertarian Alert!

Hmmm, since I know plenty of Republicans who detest the idea of checkpoints on the roads, what does that make them?

In fact, those people I know who are most IN FAVOR of checkpoints are do-good liberals, those who believe in Public Safety at the expense of freedom. So where does that leave you?

[CanisRex]

If there is a terrorist threat or a regional emergency, I might approve of a roadblock, but not as a matter of routine policy

I agree wholeheartedly! Great comment.

[Liberal Classic]

I believe in strong law enforcement, especially local law enforcement to keep the peace. If you're referring to prohibition then we're talking about who should and who shouldn't be fugitives in the first place. On that subject I do not support a war on drugs, perhaps an economic sanctions on drugs. As for violent criminals, I believe little expense should be spared achiving their capture.

I believe the federal government should apply the 21st Amendment to the question of regulating drugs, as it did with alcohol. Enforcing prohibition is a misuse of federal government power, but I do not believe it unjust. I certianly believe the intentions behind it are good, but you know what they say about those.

[azhenfud]

"Sounds like North Carolina is a Constitution free zone."

Yep. Ours was taken by a Yankee in the WoNA and we haven't yet gotten around to making up another suitable one.