Granted, the 'skin sensor system' which is built directly into steering wheels are still not perfected but once the kinks are worked out, hopefully all vehicle steering wheels will have these in place.

And perhaps once and for all, the massive death/destruction toll from drunk drivers will finally end.

http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pag...ticleID=2513702

A big thing we need to do is be HARDER on people busted for DWI or DUI. I know one of the people related to my girlfriend that has been busted for DUI 3 times, and still has the ability to drive.

I'm all for revoking the license for, say 5-10 years of anyone caught driving while under the influence.

Any new device to reduce the death toll is a great idea in my opinion.Here,the first DUI offense carries 3months loss of licence and 1000 dollar fine.Absolutely stupid deterent,and they can continue driving till the court case is heard which can take 1 to 2 yrs with adjournments.As HM says 5-10 may make them think twice about endangering other peoples lives.A lot are caught the second time while still disqualified and the same procudure with the courts starts all over again.The Police now have machines which detect if the driver is on drugs,but can't be implimented because not enough Police for roadside tests.When the Government gets serious,we may see a drop in the shocking road toll.

You've sure got that right, Heretic Monkey!

I agree completely with your words, "I'm all for revoking the license for, say 5-10 years of anyone caught driving while under the influence". - in fact, I'm all for adding if you cause bodily harm, the full sentence is not only enforced with no chance of probation but you vehicle is confiscated - permanently.

Even with stronger laws, it has always seemed very odd that often, as you mentioned, repeat offenders get, at most, a slap on the wrist and are permitted to keep driving. Where is the justice in this, I wonder?

Years ago, one case really stuck in my mind - an 18 year old was driving a sports car with the top down and 4 teenage girls crammed into it. He was drinking. He crashed and 3 girls died instantly. The 4th girl was forever a 'quad'. He gets to pay 40 percent of every single dollar he earns in his entire lifetime to the support of this girl. People said it was cruel and unjust.

But only a few years ago, two young guys were drag racing a couple blocks from where we lived - one plowed into the rear end of a car containing a young mother. Her car exploded and people got to watch and hear her extruciating screams for help as the flames devoured her. One boy got a suspended sentence - if I remember correctly, the one that killed the woman got 3 months or something and community service. After all, these 'boys' were just teenagers, right? Huge huge sigh.

And you're right, DSTM - the death toll in nearly all countries is truly shocking! Try not to laugh too hard when I confess that as each of our girls would leave on a first day with a boy, I'd gently and politely - and with a smile on my face - tell him, "If you drink and drive and kill our child, I assure you you'll never made it to Court". Didn't seem to deter the boys from dating our girls but apparently it sure deterred them from even thinking of drinking ans driving on the dates! (Won't tell you how embarrassing it was for the girls, though - hoot!).

There is obvioulsy no no discussion on what to do with people caught whilst driving drunk. In my country yearly 150 death and 300 wounded are caused by these accidents. I have told my boys that they would need crutches for a great part of their lives if I would ever find out that they were driving their bikes or later motorcycles or cars drunk. Overhere we have the possibility to send youngsters , as from 15, to an afternoon where they can see the consequences of such acts, including talking to people who have caused severe accidents.

What a great option, fozzie, to be able to take youngsters to speak with people who have caused severe accidents! And it's great that you've taken a firm hand in convincing your sons that driving drunk will get them not just repercussions from the law from from you!! Yipee!

A friend who is a Police Officer dragged his teenage son down to the car insurance 'dumping grounds' where all vehicles in major accidents are kept - he got his driver's licence that day, on his 16th birthday, but only after he saw first-hand what cars look like after people go through windshields and/or are crushed etc. (The son is now 24 and has never even got a speeding ticket - gentle grin!).

Taken from a newspaper article here in Holland

I showed this to my sons and I promised them I would pursue them to the gates of hell if they would even think about joining in these events which become more and more a daily routine overhere...

Those are some great ideas, to convince my children not to drink and drive, when they are learning to drive. I also am in favour of less deaths caused by drunk-drivers. Although, I disagree that this problem will be eliminated entirely in the future. There will always be those who will think they are invincible, while employing huge egos. An example would be high school kids, who have to impress each other. We have to know our limits that is something we fail to do as human beings. Plus it is human nature, for us to go beyond our limits, in any facet of life (driving while under influence included).

When I was in high school, I do remember driving home a couple of times, when I had 2-3 glasses of alcohol. I was able to handle it and drive at basically the same awareness while sober; however, I was much more careful after consuming the alcohol. But I never drove a car when I was totally hammered. Obviously, now I have learnt my lesson. Now I barely ever consume alcohol (once a year), even though I go to University.

I doubt the effectiveness of this device. It is even mentioned in the article that people could wear gloves to get around it. Whatever the new technology is that stops drunk drivers, I hope it is not super expensive. I don't want to have to pay for something I probably won't use. On the other hand, I think our governments would regulate it, which I would support.

Thanks for the link, MaraM.

I was on a fishing boat that went deep sea fishing.
These people drank so much they could not even walk. They each drank at least 5 beers on the way home. About a 2 hour ride. Think of how many they had to drink all day out there. A group of about 8 or so were doing it. As soon as the beer was gone down one or two went and came back with 4 or 5 more.

They were so so drunk. Guess what? They had to "designated" driver. They all drank. And they all got in a car and DROVE home drunk.

What can be done about this? Stricter laws for sure. And more police in places like that where they KNOW there will be drunks that drive. More tickets is more money for them and less people dying each year because of these idiots who drink and drive.

Yes, I suspect it's just a dream that there will one day be no drunk drivers - huge sad sigh.

But I too often wondered about why Police Officers don't sit a block away from the neighbourhood Pub at closing time for instance - surely that would help stop the DWIs before they do harm. But apparently there is some law that prevents them from doing so. Mind boggling, if true, as why should drunks have more rights than innocents, I wonder?

And drinking while driving a boat should be (and is, I think) just as illegal as driving one's car - glad you got home safely from that fishing trip, CGM! Think we need more parents like fozzie and rsd79!

Re: "The coroner established that the boy driving drank the equivalent of 1,5 bottle of whiskey!!!!!" - cripes, if the accident didn't stop him alchohol poisoning surely would have! (I'm always amazed teenagers survive to adulthood - myself included of course, as 'dumb' was as normal as breathing when it came to making wise decisions then - grin!).

No no the drivers of the boat were not drinking. It was a fishing tour like where you pay 85 bucks and they take a bunch of people out and go fishing.

The people on board were drunk. These few I am talking about were worse than anything I have ever seen. Most of the other people only drank like 1 or 2 all day so.

We dont drink any. Nasty junk anyways. Smells like dirty shoes.

I just wanted to clear that up since I don't want people thinking I am a 20 year-old parent attending University. Imagine the stress!



Thanks for the compliment anyway,

MaraM.

Thanks for clearing that up, rsd79 - yup, I misunderstood and a huge duh to me!

I am the one who did not proof-read my message so I think I deserve the majority of the "Duh".

I think there is more than enough "duh" to go around for everyone:) Enjoy

Then why did you reply to this thread Constantine. It clearly seems as though you wanted to have some duh that you could not get from anywhere else.

One thing I don't' get about preventing drunk drivers from driving, smokes smoking, etc... is that they know it's wrong let them find out for them own selves. We will always have people dieing from drunk drivers and smoking and murders. There is nothing we can do to eliminate this. It's like stealing if someone really wants a bike that is chained up, or an iPod you left in your vehicle they will do whatever they can to get it.

I'm all for cutting down on the number of people dieing from drunk drivers (because it is blantly wrong; which I think is the point of Constantine post)_, but there is only so much we can do.

Also I want to know how accurate are these car sensors? If I were to buy a back of beer or wine and take it home, would it be able to sense the container? (meaning it's too strong), or would it only pick up a certain amount before it would work (meaning the unit is too weak).

My brother always drove drunk. He crashed three of his own cars, and my grandma's as well.
The morning after one crash, the hood was so mangled, it flew up and blocked the windshield while he and I were on the highway.
I love my brother, but I wouldn't hesitate to alert the authorities if I knew for a fact that he was driving drunk and endangering other people's lives.

He moved to the mainland about a year ago. He still drinks, but I am under the impression that he doesn't drink everyday like he used to, and mostly drinks when he is at his girlfriend's house.

Drunk driving has played a part in my family for a long time. I would love to defend all of them and say that it doesn't happen anymore, but I really don't know.
My dad crashed my mom's car when I was a baby (we weren't in the car at the time). But my dad doesn't drink anymore, hasn't for over 10 years.

My aunty crashed her truck, with my cousin lying in the front seat without her seatbelt. My cousin flew on the ground while the glass from the windshield shattered all around her. She was 8 when this happened.

I am happy to say that they haven't killed anyone, but if they continue to do what have been doing, its only a matter of time.
My family is the reason I don't drink.
I don't drive either, because there is too much people like them on the road.


I agree Mara. Whenever we have roadblocks here, they are almost nowhere near a location of a bar or nightclub. How far do these drunk drivers have to actually drive before they can be caught?

This makes me sad. Even those who are "against drunk driving" think that if you are just a little bit more careful, and don't drink too much, everything will be okay. "I was able to handle it." If you have 2-3 drinks, your reaction times WILL be slower, your attention level will be lower, and your inhibiitions will be lowered as well. Statisically, you are more likely to be in an accident. I'm glad you weren't hurt, rsd79, and didn't hurt anyone else. You were lucky. You survived to learn your lesson. To borrow Mara's expression: gentle sigh.

Unfortunately, I don't see any way to completely stop drunk driving:
1. The police can't be everywhere. There are too many bars and restaurants to post a car near each one at closing time. And too many people driving drunk at all hours, not just at closing time.

2. Prevention tools like this steering wheel, or the built-in breathilyzer ignition lock required by law in convicted drunk-drivers cars in some states in the US, any of these tools can overcome in some way. I remember a case in Texas where drunk dad put the kids in the car with him specifically so one of them could blow in the tube so the car would start. Dad survived the crash... one of the kids did, and testified at the trial. Current technology does not have an answer.

3. A lot of people just don't see it as a problem. They can "handle it." Others have more sense before they have those drinks, but once the alcohol starts working on their brains, they think they can make that 30mph curve doing 60 or 100....they can get in front of that 18-wheeler before their lane runs out...and if they do think about possible accidents (before or after drinking) they don't think about the other people, that mom or dad or kids they might hit when they crash.

4. Alcohol is an accepted thing in most societies of the world. When you talk of "drug abuse," alcohol is rarely even thought of as part of the problem, although it IS a drug. Prohibition didn't work in the US in the past, and it wouldn't work today. And as long as alcohol is freely available, people are going to drink it.

The examples given (thanks, Fozzie!) for educating your children are the best solution I see. Somehow, starting before the teen years, we need to make children understand that driving under the influence of ANY mind altering chemical, even one prescribed by your doctor, is just NOT DONE. I can see that many people would not want their child to see bodies at the morgue, or blood soaked upholstery and blood covered glass at the junk yard, because it would be "traumatizing." THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT!!! If they get scared enough, freaked out enough, maybe they would remember later and NOT DRIVE DRUNK!

I'm not saying I completely disapprove of drinking. I enjoy a glass of wine with my pasta, and my husband likes a beer after he's mowed the lawn. But when we go out to dinner, before we order our meals we decide who will be driving home. That person immediately takes possession of the car keys. The one who isn't driving can have a glass of wine/beer with dinner if they'd like one. It all comes down to responsibility. Too many people just can't or won't be responsible before they take that first drink. I wish I thought it would be easier, but I don't think we'll see any improvement any time soon Heavy sigh...

Okay, I'm off my soapbox. Wow, I didn't think my first post in the Speak Easy would be so vehement!

Glad you are that "vehement", spritesuzi!

Now if we could only get the Court system to fel that way, too.

So often, as someone else mentioned earlier, we hear of a drunk driver killing innocents on the road - and he or she is driving after or even during their 3 or 4th suspension for DUI.

Would love to see our Court system change (suspect a lot of Police Officers would as well) to something like:

First offence/no accident - min. 6 months jail time, a hefty fine and loss of licence for a full year.
First offence/with accident/causing bodily harm to others - minimum 1 year jail time, hefty fine and a full 5 years of no driving.
And if causing a death, first offense or not and regardless of being 'underage' or not - minimum 5 years in jail, an even heftier fine and a minimum of 10 years no driving.

Second offense, even without causing an accident or killing someone - vehicle to be confiscated (same as they can take a house re finding drugs), a giant fine (no cash? All propery taken, sold and victims given the proceeds) and minimum of 5 years in jail.
Kill someone during this second offense - the above plus at least 15 years in jail, no probation.

Sounds mean, I know - but I have absolutely no sympathy for those that drink and drive and kill. It seems if one can afford a good lawyer, they often simply walk free and have little remorse, if any, for what they've done.

Re: that horrible father in Texas that used his kids to blow in the 'tube' to get the car started ... can only hope he's still in prison and will grow old there.

caught drunk driving = lose license for life
hurt/kill someone = jail for life

i used to believe that drunk driving was an accident and no one should go to jail for a mistake. but it is no mistake. people CHOOSE to drink and drive and they KNOW what happens. its maddening that this doesnt have to happen but it does. there is no excuse. anyone caught driving drunk should never be allowed to drive again because they lost their trust. once someone does that, we can no longer trust them. how do you know they will never do it again? you dont.

a few years ago i watched a video that changed my life forever. i didnt think drunk driving was a big deal when i started to watch it. but i saw how people had to live after getting f'd up for life. i saw this one person trying to stack a few simple colored cups on top of each other. he couldnt do it. i saw how other people were affected and how miserable they were. it was very depressing. by the end of the video, i thought- if someone can ruin someone else for life like that, then why should they be able to walk another day on this earth. simply going to jail is nothing compared to what these unfortunate people have to go through everyday. someone is saying "aw man, i dont wanna go to jail" while someone else cant even stand up straight, or talk, or do anything.

i think when people think about DWI, they picture it happening to someone else. and they think- its no big deal. but you have to think- what if it happens to you. what if you're the one ruined for life because of some wreckless s.o.b. really try to picture yourself severly disabled. try to picture yourself trying to do the things you do everyday when you cant even lift a paper cup. then think about what the punishment should be for the person who did that to you. 5 years behind bars? 10 years? 15 years? i dont think so.

Drivers who get caught for DWI do indeed lose their drivers licenses. In a perfect world
they would not drive without it. However, the world is not perfect and many of them continue to
drive even with a suspended license. There is no way to keep them from getting behind the
steering wheel and heading down the road.
I'm glad you've changed your postition about drunk drivers. I've never had any sympathy or
tolerance for them. Long ago, in the early 1970's, my cousin was on her way to work one morning.
She was hit by a drunk driver, at about 8 am. Fortunately she wasn't seriously injured, but I had the
pleasure of staying with her during the day for 4 days while she was in the hospital.
Back then, the penalty was a $50 fine and no license suspension.

I used to drink alot. and I have been over the legal limit here many times (back then for me it was 1 beer now its 0 beers thank you CDL ) but I have never been drunk and driven. It was always something that just wasnt done.

One of my dads friends is a repeated offender (over 5x's) and they put this Breathalizer in his car that will not allow the car to start unless he is sober (its more or less a deadman switch) and it doent work very well ( no deadman switch does). My personal opinion is that the whole lot of DUI/DWI laws need to be rewritten. BAC through breathalizer isnt that accurate (it picks up on Mouthwash, listerine strips, and certian types of chewing tobacco) so some who get caught never even drank. As for punishment the fines and jail time arent stiff enough.

I'm going to go out on a limb here but I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately, and have decided to be honest.

The sentences received from drinking and killing someone are often truly an insult to both the victim and their family, even when the driver has been convicted of DUI before. And I can only imagine what I would do if someone drunk killed someone precious to me - and then walked away with probation or community service.

Although I don't know for certain (who can unless the circumstance actually happened), I suspect I would hunt down the driver and take matters into my own hands.

Sounds vicious and sounds unlawful (and it is) but over and over again we hear that justice is truly not served
and for a normally peaceful person, there is a high probability I'd feel 'justice is mine to serve'.

Scary huh. Sad sigh.

What about providing alternatives for drunks to get home so they don't get behind the wheel in the first place? If someone sees someone else under the influence heading for the wheel of a car, why doesn't that someone take proactive action and take away that person's keys and arrange for a different means for him/her and passengers to get where they need to go? Prevention, in my book, is a lot better than punishment. By the time someone is drunk, generally they aren't thinking about potential punishment anyway.

Even bigger question: Why on earth is this society built around the car? In many places it is nearly impossible to survive without a stupid car. Can't go into town with a horse and wagon even if I had a horse; the city bans the presence of horses. Grrr!!! If I had my druthers, I wouldn't have a car.

By the way, when I was a kid, and I saw the road signs "Don't drink and drive." I'd tell Dad he was violating the law when he was drinking his pineapple juice or coffee in the car. I had no idea the sign meant "Don't drink alcohol and drive."

Orange Blossom

My Opinion is unless the Courts get much tougher, this will allways be a problem.Make the Penalties so severe that the Drunk Drivers wouldn't be game enough to drive after drinking.The Courts here have heavier fines for Drag Racing on the streets.
I would set these Penalties.

1ST OFFENCE 2000 Dollar Fine,loss of Licence 5 yrs.
2ND OFFENCE 5000 Dollar Fine,loss of Licence 10 yrs
3RD OFFENCE 10 yrs Jail, Loss of Licence for Life,Car or Truck Taken and Sold.

Caught driving whilst Disqualified,on first two Offences, automatically 3rd penalty applies.
For Habitual Offender,locked up in jail and throw away the key.
Causing Death,Automatic 20 yrs Jail for each one,sentances to be served concurrently.
A motor Vehicle Licence is a Licence to Drive,not a Licence to Kill.

hmmm, maybe if people knew that they would definately lose their licsence, no court ruling, no police station, just IMMEDIATE LISCENCE revotion and car impoundment for being caught driving drunk they might not risk it.

ha ha, many things would grind to halt but people would soon adjust and learn, and if that was the consequence, it wouldnt make sense for drink driving to happen..clear cut..you get caught drunk? you lose your liscence forever...hmmm, maybe not forever errr, actually no, yeeeah FOREVER, its so definate any /inteligent/rational/logical (which are things you need to be a safe driver) person wouldnt risk it.

With a consequence like this people would have no choice but to take responsibility for their decisions/actions?...i think?

I wonder if anybody would disagree with this and why?
(this = get caught drunk, lose liscence forever.)

ooo, yeah and caught driving without liscence ermmm....community service....WOW! whole new idea of how to run society ha ha

ok, all the nasty jobs that no-one likes doing would be done by all people caught driving without liscence so that all the wonderful people that do do these jobs can find other opportunities created by the spaces made by the people who cant do their job anymore cause they cant drive.

Of course they would be overseen by somebody who ferried them around and managed them, better than sticking you arm in a blocked toilet though in it?

WoW that would create a really mad split in society ha ha i wonder what Marx would have to say?

A whole new basis for class, MAAAD...sorry off on one as per. he he

BYE

There will always be drunk drivers. Someone will always be stupid and get drunk and go driving. We tried to get rid of "drinks" in the US and it just got worse. Maybe one day there will be none of us so the world will be peaceful once more.

-Steve

nn23

Here's a site that believes in shaming drunk drivers by posting both their photos and details about their drunk driving ... http://stopduiaz.com/cases/felonies.html

It's by a County Attorney and how I wish newspapers would take a chance and do something similar in each community/city ... surely few people would want their neighbours, bosses and co-workers to know about their DUIs and the embarassment alone may help halt the toll.

Realize, as another member has already mentioned, that legalities may be involved - but a photo and the exact details of the conviction would hopefully leave the guilty party little to legally complain about?

This isn't a 'slap' against Judges nor attorney's, honestly it isn't - but I do wonder sometimes why the penalty is often so light - a friend who's a lawyer keeps telling me that many Judges may feel 'there but for the Grace of God go I!!"

as i have actually have drunk and drove(not proud of it) and i bet 90%
of drivers at one time or another have done the same .my point is 9not argument) in my country your allowed to drink (i think) around 1 pint of beer or a glass of wine , now alchol affects people different
so one beer to me might be three beers to anyone else drink driving is the worst thing you can do
as i said i've done it (but i only drank one more than i should of)and regret it even now after 8 years
could have knocked anyone down (did feel fine at the time though)u.s.a laws maybe diffrent to ours but
i am pretty sure they are not that far removed.

by the way my cousin was ran over and killed by a sober cab driver and he walked away because she had just walked away(not out) from a bar she ws seventeen and the driver was not even breathalised.
so not sure bout u.s but the u.k there is more people killed by drivers not under the influence than drivers under
sorry took me so long to make my point

all the best
mike

Hmm... I doubt that drunk driving will stop as long as alcohol is legal. The rules should be enforced more strongly, since drunk driving is really a serious issue. Because of irresponsible drivers, families lose loved companions and the roads become more dangerous for all other vehicles sharing the same road. Just recently there was a drunk driving accident where I live-- two teenage passengers had their legs severed as a result.

Driving should be taken seriously be everyone. Last year two of my friends were hit by cars and hospitalized. Drunk driving is incredibly irresponsible but is surprisingly common.

As for taking away licenses, I think people would end up driving anyway.

You are right there'Umbrella'
Here over the Easter weekend 7000 odd Driver's were stopped and Breath Tested.
1900 odd Drivers were caught Driving whilst Disqualified. Without a Licence.
If these Drivers hit you or cause Injury,the Insurance Companies don't want to know you.
It is a real problem here. 1000+ Dollar fine does not seem to worry these irresponsible Drivers.

EDIT. I would look seriously at lowering the Alcohol content, so it takes forever to become intoxicated.

Hi DSTM. As good as lowering the allowed alcohol content sounds, it will never happen. The United States tried to make alcohol illegal back in the 1920's. The result was a massive crime wave of bootlegging (making alcohol illegally), and a massive upswing in organized crime. Also, with the escapist nature of mankind, if alcohol were illegal and bootlegging were stopped, people would still just find some other way to achieve the same effect that alcohol has (I'll spare you the biblical reasons why ).



Seafox14