There is nothing funny about this. Drunk driving is dangerous and a real threat. But what can be done about it? How can we reduce it to a level where it is tolerable? Is there a level that is tolerable?
Read this story when you get the time.
Here's a brief summary:
A man with 6 convictions, and 10 arrests, for drunken driving since 1988 was arrested after being observed swerving into traffic and nearly causing an accident. The man, when stopped, had a 12 pack of beer (with 8 unopened cans and 1 open and half empty left) on the floor in front of the passenger seat and a open bottle of brandy between his legs. His driver's license was under suspension since 2003. His last conviction for DUI was in 2001.
I don't want you to think I am a hypocrite. I have driven drunk, more than a couple of times. Yet, I had the sense to drive slowly and carefully. I did not speed, I did not wander across lanes, nor swerve in front of traffic. And the last time I did this was in 1979, a distance of 1.5 miles at 2 AM on empty back streets.
I am not angry at the man, I am a little angry at the system we have that fails to protect us. Why is it possible that this man still had access to a motor vehicle?
If I could enact laws, I would have a DUI law that says:
First conviction - 6 months suspended license, mandatory substance/alcohol abuse counseling, and a fine.
Second conviction - Permanent revocation of license, $10,000 fine, minimum 3 month jail sentence. Revocation of any vehicle registration(s) and denial of any future registration.
A sister law would suspend the driver's license and registration for a period of at least 6 months of any person knowingly loaning a vehicle to a driver with a second conviction for DUI. The "knowingly" part might be difficult to prove at times, I realize.
Sorry for the rant.
A Night Unremembered
13 years ago
6 comments:
I will admit I didn't read the link as I know too much about this subject firsthand, personally and now with the people I counsel.
I will also say I don't have an answer. I had three DUI's in a 9 month period, the last with a .5 BAC. I did time for the second one which didn't stop me from drunk driving. I did a long time for the third. I paid through the nose as part of the consequences. None of this stopped me from drinking although my last DUI was the last time I have had alcohol nearly 18 years ago.
I don't think anyone should drink and drive no matter how little the BAC law states. Counseling only helps those who want it. People will drive on suspneded licenses.
Douglas, this is a very difficult subject to come up with answer for and I hope I don't sound critical without having a solution. Alcoholism and drunk driving are both destroyers.
MPH - No, you don't sound critical and you know more than me about counseling and about the mind of the addicted. I certainly agree that one has to want the counseling to benefit from it. My concern is getting the drunks out of vehicles. Allow them to retain a vehicle and they will drive it. Allow them access, in any way, to a vehicle and they will drive. We seem to be afraid to remove that. The breathalyzer lock on the ignition is a good control but that does not stop them from using someone else's car or, worse, getting someone sober to blow into it. Still, it helps.
Douglas, long time... I am on a walking stick as the result of a 30-year-ago accident with a drunk driver. Not my reason for writing.
Add to 2nd conviction - enforced sale of any vehicle he has registered.
3rd Conviction - confiscation of vehicle whether his or not + time.
Brazil has now ( for one year already) 0 tolerance law. No limits, any alcohol in the blood is an offence. Also, injury or death caused while DUI, is regarded as degrees of homicide with appropriate penalties.
Problem here of course is corruption and enforcement. But it is having a positive effect.
AV
AV - Currently in the US (all states) any death as a result of DUI is ruled as, at minimum, Manslaughter. It is known as Vehicular Homicide. The driver will serve time.
Douglas, long time... I am on a walking stick as the result of a 30-year-ago accident with a drunk driver. Not my reason for writing.
Add to 2nd conviction - enforced sale of any vehicle he has registered.
3rd Conviction - confiscation of vehicle whether his or not + time.
Brazil has now ( for one year already) 0 tolerance law. No limits, any alcohol in the blood is an offence. Also, injury or death caused while DUI, is regarded as degrees of homicide with appropriate penalties.
Problem here of course is corruption and enforcement. But it is having a positive effect.
AV
MPH - No, you don't sound critical and you know more than me about counseling and about the mind of the addicted. I certainly agree that one has to want the counseling to benefit from it. My concern is getting the drunks out of vehicles. Allow them to retain a vehicle and they will drive it. Allow them access, in any way, to a vehicle and they will drive. We seem to be afraid to remove that. The breathalyzer lock on the ignition is a good control but that does not stop them from using someone else's car or, worse, getting someone sober to blow into it. Still, it helps.
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