Should drunk driving (even when it ends safely) have harsher penalties?

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stnicralisk

Golden Member
Jan 18, 2004
1,705
1
0
Originally posted by: flot
Originally posted by: DWW
It shouldnt' be up to the bar owners and workers for your own judgement. That is passing the blame. If you can't find a way home without driving yourself then how about just not drinking? It isn't that hard unless your an alcoholic.

Oh really? So you can walk into your local gun store at 11:00 at night and buy a handgun?

You do know that there are actually drive-through liquor stores in some states?

The intention isnt for you to start drinking at the drive through its for when you want to hurry to a party etc.
 

fredtam

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
5,694
2
76
What do you do for the other 24,848 accidents? Should "failure to yield" get you as stiff of a penalty as DUI does currently?
 

BDawg

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
11,631
2
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Originally posted by: flot

You would propse to ruin the lives of every person who went to a bar, had two drinks, and drove home? (last I checked, the punishments for DUI are pretty severe as it is)

I would propose to ruin the life of everyone who gets behind the wheel in a state that could easily cause others harm. Sorry if I inconvenience you.

I'm not one for taking away freedom in exchange for safety, but that isn't the case here. If you get drunk at a bar, call a taxi. If you live near a bar where taxis don't go, don't drink enough that you shouldn't be driving.

Is it that hard to get a designated driver or have someone drop you off and take a cab home? That's what I do when I go out to get drunk.
 

fredtam

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
5,694
2
76
Originally posted by: stnicralisk
Originally posted by: flot
Originally posted by: DWW
It shouldnt' be up to the bar owners and workers for your own judgement. That is passing the blame. If you can't find a way home without driving yourself then how about just not drinking? It isn't that hard unless your an alcoholic.

Oh really? So you can walk into your local gun store at 11:00 at night and buy a handgun?

You do know that there are actually drive-through liquor stores in some states?

The intention isnt for you to start drinking at the drive through its for when you want to hurry to a party etc.


In 64oz cups with straws?
 

fredtam

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
5,694
2
76
Originally posted by: BDawg
Originally posted by: flot

You would propse to ruin the lives of every person who went to a bar, had two drinks, and drove home? (last I checked, the punishments for DUI are pretty severe as it is)

I would propose to ruin the life of everyone who gets behind the wheel in a state that could easily cause others harm. Sorry if I inconvenience you.

I'm not one for taking away freedom in exchange for safety, but that isn't the case here. If you get drunk at a bar, call a taxi. If you live near a bar where taxis don't go, don't drink enough that you shouldn't be driving.

Is it that hard to get a designated driver or have someone drop you off and take a cab home? That's what I do when I go out to get drunk.



Ummmm....Looks like that state you are talking about is sobriety.

Also most of those people who die are breaking the law themselves. Over 2/3 of fatalities are unrestrained.

Most of the fatalities are single car.
 

BDawg

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
11,631
2
0
Originally posted by: fredtam
Originally posted by: BDawg
Originally posted by: flot

You would propse to ruin the lives of every person who went to a bar, had two drinks, and drove home? (last I checked, the punishments for DUI are pretty severe as it is)

I would propose to ruin the life of everyone who gets behind the wheel in a state that could easily cause others harm. Sorry if I inconvenience you.

I'm not one for taking away freedom in exchange for safety, but that isn't the case here. If you get drunk at a bar, call a taxi. If you live near a bar where taxis don't go, don't drink enough that you shouldn't be driving.

Is it that hard to get a designated driver or have someone drop you off and take a cab home? That's what I do when I go out to get drunk.



Ummmm....Looks like that state you are talking about is sobriety.

Also most of those people who die are breaking the law themselves. Over 2/3 of fatalities are unrestrained.

Most of the fatalities are single car.

I don't disagree. In a more perfect world there wouldn't be as much of a need for cars and licenses would be harder to get.

One thing that ticks me off is how the AARP lobbies to let seniors who shouldn't be driving keep their licenses.
 

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
16,068
7,383
146
Originally posted by: BDawg
Originally posted by: fredtam
Originally posted by: BDawg
Originally posted by: flot

You would propse to ruin the lives of every person who went to a bar, had two drinks, and drove home? (last I checked, the punishments for DUI are pretty severe as it is)

I would propose to ruin the life of everyone who gets behind the wheel in a state that could easily cause others harm. Sorry if I inconvenience you.

I'm not one for taking away freedom in exchange for safety, but that isn't the case here. If you get drunk at a bar, call a taxi. If you live near a bar where taxis don't go, don't drink enough that you shouldn't be driving.

Is it that hard to get a designated driver or have someone drop you off and take a cab home? That's what I do when I go out to get drunk.



Ummmm....Looks like that state you are talking about is sobriety.

Also most of those people who die are breaking the law themselves. Over 2/3 of fatalities are unrestrained.

Most of the fatalities are single car.

I don't disagree. In a more perfect world there wouldn't be as much of a need for cars and licenses would be harder to get.

One thing that ticks me off is how the AARP lobbies to let seniors who shouldn't be driving keep their licenses.

They are the largest voting demographic and have the most money. Like the ACDC song "Listen to the Money Talk"
 

GagHalfrunt

Lifer
Apr 19, 2001
25,284
1,998
126
Originally posted by: flot
NO.

NO.

NO.

Jesus. Why does everyone jump on this particular bandwagon??

Here's a little tip for you: Go to any popular bar on a friday or saturday night. Watch how many people have 2 or more drinks and then drive away. All of those people are likely "under the influence" under the current definitions.

You would propse to ruin the lives of every person who went to a bar, had two drinks, and drove home? (last I checked, the punishments for DUI are pretty severe as it is)


You're an idiot. You would not ruin their lives if they exercised the correct judgement to not get behind the wheel. Do you propose that we treat drunk criminals so leniently that they're allowed to go out and ruin the lives of the people they crash into?

Simple equation that you seem to be too dumb to understand. If drunk driving penalites were harsh enough those people would not "have 2 or more drinks and then drive away". They'd know the consequences and stay off the road when under the influence. Nobody would be forcing them to become criminals by driving drunk. If they did it anyway they'd be ruining their own lives.

By the way, in case you missed the main point of this post, allow me to repeat it: You're an idiot.
 

flot

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
3,197
0
0
Originally posted by: BDawg
Originally posted by: flot

You would propse to ruin the lives of every person who went to a bar, had two drinks, and drove home? (last I checked, the punishments for DUI are pretty severe as it is)

I would propose to ruin the life of everyone who gets behind the wheel in a state that could easily cause others harm. Sorry if I inconvenience you.

Ah, yes, so.

You propose to ruin the life of every person who:
- drives and talks on a cell phone?
- drives with their radio so loud they couldn't hear a car horn / ambulance / person bitching them out?
- drives while eating fast food <- I see near-accidents constantly at drive through exits
- drives while putting on makeup?
- drives while holding an intense conversation with a passenger?
- drives while handicapped?
- drives more than 10 mph over the flow of traffic?
- drives even though they forgot their glasses?
- drives between 1am and 4am?
- just happens to be a perpetually BAD driver?

No. You would not propose to ruin those people's lives.

However, you WOULD propose to ruin the life of someone who went out on a friday night, had 3 drinks which were served to him by a state-licenced facility, who managed to drive home without hurting anyone...
 

remagavon

Platinum Member
Jun 16, 2003
2,516
0
0
Originally posted by: flot
I can only assume that no one with the police-state-type-replies has ever been to a bar at "happy hour."

With the current legal limit at .08 in half the states, I believe this falls right into "two drink" territory. In other words, have two drinks, pay your bill, start your car = you committed a crime.

In addition to this, I would like to buy some people a clue and inform you that, of the 200-500 people who leave a popular bar "illegally" on any given night, there are probably 10-30 of them who have had UPWARDS OF SIX DRINKS AND CAN NO LONGER CARRY ON AN INTELLIGENT CONVERSATION. At least half of these stumbling buffoons will walk right out into their car and drive home.

The people in group #2 are a serious threat to everyone's wellbeing. The people in group #1 are about as dangerous as your average soccer mom idiot talking on a cell phone while yelling at her kid in the back seat. Hell, I'm sure I'm much more dangerous when I'm driving with my dog in the car than I am after 3 drinks.

You are a dumbass.
 

flot

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
3,197
0
0
GagHalfrunt> You're an idiot
remagavon> You are a dumbass

Are either of you old enough to drink? Have you not been to a bar? For god's sake, did you go to college?

I'd love to know what sort of rainbow colored world you people live in.

I am not supporting drinking and driving.

I'm trying to explain that if you were to be out in public right now (11:50 on a sat night?) you would be having near death encounters on the road with dozens of people who were "over the legal limit."

You could tell, because THEY'D BE THE PEOPLE DRIVING AROUND AT 11:50 ON A SATURDAY NIGHT.

Where do you think they are all going to / coming from, work??? Church?? Lan parties??
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
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Actually FLOT is correct.

with the limit on getting a DUI being so low the police can a nail anyone who has had a drink or two.
heck it was even proven that some mouthwash will give a .5 bac.


I do agree we need much stiffer penalties on DUI. BUT lets have some realistic limits.
 

flot

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
3,197
0
0
Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Do you propose that we treat drunk criminals so leniently that they're allowed to go out and ruin the lives of the people they crash into?

News flash: not everyone who drives home drunk crashes into someone and ruins their lives.

News flash 2: Sober people crash into others all the time. (some people do it 2 or 3 times a year) It's called an "accident" when that happens... unless they happened to be drinking beforehand. Then we call it "a hideous crime."
 
May 16, 2000
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In my opinion, driving under the influence of ANY drug should count as premeditated attempted murder. Period. Everyone knows driving while drunk/drugged could kill any number of innocent people. As far as I'm concerned, that's the same as choosing to put a gun to someones head.

If I'm EVER involved in an accident where the person is drunk then (providing I can still walk) I'm getting out of my car and putting 15 rounds of .40 gold dot into the bastard, and I wouldn't even lose sleep over it. I'm perfectly willing to go to prison to get an ignorant, ego-centric bastard like that off my planet.
 

flot

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
3,197
0
0
Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

I'm perfectly willing to go to prison to get an ignorant, ego-centric bastard like that off my planet.

Kettle,

You are black.

Your friend,
Pot.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
In my opinion, driving under the influence of ANY drug should count as premeditated attempted murder. Period. Everyone knows driving while drunk/drugged could kill any number of innocent people. As far as I'm concerned, that's the same as choosing to put a gun to someones head.

If I'm EVER involved in an accident where the person is drunk then (providing I can still walk) I'm getting out of my car and putting 15 rounds of .40 gold dot into the bastard, and I wouldn't even lose sleep over it. I'm perfectly willing to go to prison to get an ignorant, ego-centric bastard like that off my planet.

sure why don't you grow up and then think about it.

I agree that driving drunk/high etc is wrong. They should also makeing driving while tired against the law. it has the same effects as driving drunk.

then again they should also test old people because they kill a lot of people a year.

But on DUI after one case you should have your license revoked for a year min. have some fines and go to counseling. BUT lets be realistic about drinking. right now 2 drinks in an hour can get you a bac of .5 wich is the legal amount for a DUI.

Lets set it to a realistic amount. back up to .8 or .1 But make the penelties very harsh.
 

flot

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
3,197
0
0
Originally posted by: waggy

Lets set it to a realistic amount. back up to .8 or .1 But make the penelties very harsh.

Or perhaps a sliding scale?

I couldn't care less if somebody who has had 3 beers is on the road next to me. (In fact I know for a fact I'm in that situation all the time)

However, the guy who drank the whole "$10 bucket of beers" and then followed it with 4 shots - he's an actual menace, and I don't want him on the road.
 
May 16, 2000
13,522
0
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Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
In my opinion, driving under the influence of ANY drug should count as premeditated attempted murder. Period. Everyone knows driving while drunk/drugged could kill any number of innocent people. As far as I'm concerned, that's the same as choosing to put a gun to someones head.

If I'm EVER involved in an accident where the person is drunk then (providing I can still walk) I'm getting out of my car and putting 15 rounds of .40 gold dot into the bastard, and I wouldn't even lose sleep over it. I'm perfectly willing to go to prison to get an ignorant, ego-centric bastard like that off my planet.

sure why don't you grow up and then think about it.

I agree that driving drunk/high etc is wrong. They should also makeing driving while tired against the law. it has the same effects as driving drunk.

then again they should also test old people because they kill a lot of people a year.

But on DUI after one case you should have your license revoked for a year min. have some fines and go to counseling. BUT lets be realistic about drinking. right now 2 drinks in an hour can get you a bac of .5 wich is the legal amount for a DUI.

Lets set it to a realistic amount. back up to .8 or .1 But make the penelties very harsh.


I am allowed, by both state and federal law, to defend myself against harm visited by another. I can, in fact, use DEADLY FORCE to prevent such harm, or even to simply prevent a felony commited in my presence.

Drinking, then driving, IS ABSOLUTELY PURPOSEFULLY RISKING HARM TO OTHERS. You CAN NOT ARGUE THAT. There is no one on the planet that does not understand that fact. Given that, it qualifies, under legal terminology, as premeditation to do harm, or at the very least, negligence. If I was walking down the street drunk, and waving my gun around, every one of you on this board would DEMAND I never be allowed to touch a gun again. Hypocrisy, it's what's for dinner.
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
167
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
Originally posted by: waggy
Actually FLOT is correct.

with the limit on getting a DUI being so low the police can a nail anyone who has had a drink or two.
heck it was even proven that some mouthwash will give a .5 bac.


I do agree we need much stiffer penalties on DUI. BUT lets have some realistic limits.

That's a bunch of bull. Mouthwash will NOT give someone a .5 bac. (or even a .05, unless you drink half the bottle) I'd like to see where it was "proven" because I've seen it shown time and time again that it will not. (nor will chewing gum, etc. lower the alcohol content. )


Anyway, I really don't care what other people do to themselves... they can all get drunk and drive over a cliff as far as I'm concerned. But, I AM concerned about any potential harm they may cause me or those that I care about. When you get behind the wheel of a car, you're piloting a lethal weapon down the road. It's your responsibility to be able to do so safely. Personally, I drink responsibly.
Also, I question that 2 drink thing... What do you guys all weigh? 80 pounds? 2 beers, or 2 mixed drinks is not going to push you over the legal limit, unless 100% of it entered your bloodstream immediately and 0% of it was removed by your liver.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
I didn't read the thread cuz I'm lazy.

I think in 2 situations, no it shouldn't be.

1) Low alcohol content. Currently the DUI level is .08, which really is really pretty low. Have a scale, where if you're over .15 you get a harsher penality
2) 1st offense with no one else involved.

I can tell you, I got a DUI with a .12 level, no cars were involved but my own. I learned my lesson and will certainly never EVER do it again. Do I deserve to go to jail for a year and pay $100000 dollars? I don't think so. I know a LOT of people who drink a lot more than I'd had, and drive on a regular basis. I just happened to be unlucky enough that the FIRST time I'd ever done it, without being extrodinarily drunk, was the time I got caught for it. Does that mean I deserve to never drive again? I say no.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
5
81
I think the death penalty should be enforced. How fricking hard is it to call a cab? I am usually DD for my group, and I take everyone's keys, or pick them up at home. BEst of all, I get free food and pop all night, and get the liquored up chicks :p
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I am allowed, by both state and federal law, to defend myself against harm visited by another. I can, in fact, use DEADLY FORCE to prevent such harm, or even to simply prevent a felony commited in my presence.

Drinking, then driving, IS ABSOLUTELY PURPOSEFULLY RISKING HARM TO OTHERS. You CAN NOT ARGUE THAT. There is no one on the planet that does not understand that fact. Given that, it qualifies, under legal terminology, as premeditation to do harm, or at the very least, negligence. If I was walking down the street drunk, and waving my gun around, every one of you on this board would DEMAND I never be allowed to touch a gun again. Hypocrisy, it's what's for dinner.

yeap you are allowed to defend yourself. But you are NOT allowed to use deadly force unless it is a last resort.

IF you think you can do what you say you are sadly mistaken. all you are doing is trying to show how big of a man you are. Sadly it just makes you look like a child.

But go ahead and keep stroking yourself. just don't get upset when people laugh at you.
 

DWW

Platinum Member
Apr 4, 2003
2,030
0
0
Who cares about what cell phones, makeup or fast food do. Those are disputable at best. I'm talking about alcohol and driving. Alcohol only makes your driving worse (no doubt about that).

Yeah there are many other collisions that need to be taken care of too. But again, alcohol is something that is easily removed from the equation. Someone who genuinely made an accident and didn't check their blind spot is quite a bit different then someone who knowing they will be driving home, goes and downs a case of 12 then decides they want to drive back from their friends house. Sure, chances are they will arrive home without killing someone. But why should they be allowed to put others at risk?
 
May 16, 2000
13,522
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Originally posted by: Deeko
I didn't read the thread cuz I'm lazy.

I think in 2 situations, no it shouldn't be.

1) Low alcohol content. Currently the DUI level is .08, which really is really pretty low. Have a scale, where if you're over .15 you get a harsher penality
2) 1st offense with no one else involved.

I can tell you, I got a DUI with a .12 level, no cars were involved but my own. I learned my lesson and will certainly never EVER do it again. Do I deserve to go to jail for a year and pay $100000 dollars? I don't think so. I know a LOT of people who drink a lot more than I'd had, and drive on a regular basis. I just happened to be unlucky enough that the FIRST time I'd ever done it, without being extrodinarily drunk, was the time I got caught for it. Does that mean I deserve to never drive again? I say no.

Then by taking no action (either taking their keys or calling the police) I would consider you accessory to murder should they ever kill anyone. I have gone so far as to drive a good friend into the ground and leave him handcuffed to a bike rack to keep him from driving, and I've frequently called the police, even on my own sister AND my wife (now ex, then wife). Then again, I always offer to drive them home, or help them, only as a last resort intervening.

I will not thru my actions, nor allow thru my inaction, someone to harm an innocent.

I'll say it again; if you drive after drinking, it's premeditated attempted murder and I will FOREVER treat it as such.