MADD Reports DUI Deaths Up
MADD Reports US Drunk Driving Rates Rising Again.
According to MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, almost 18,000 people died in alcohol-related accidents in the United States in 2003, up from 2002. The issue of drunk-driving dangers was highlighted in the '80s and '90s. MADD began in 1979 after a teenage girl was killed by the car of a drunk driver and her mother decided to take action. In the past two decades of MADD's heyday, drunk-driving deaths plummeted from 30,000 a year to 15,000.
“Get MADD all over again”
MADD blames success as its downfall. Now that it has brought to fruition 2,300 alcohol-related accident laws across the country, it seems that perhaps their advocacy is being treated as mundane news. MADD's new slogan, "Get MADD all over again," (2002 MADD Impaired Driving Summitt (pdf download)) seeks to revitalize interest in their organization.
Those who suffer the loss of their loved ones from drunk driving accidents find drunk driving laws around the country-as well as how they are administered-to be much too flexible, especially on repeat drunk drivers.
Naturally, citizens view the issue from different perspectives. Howard Neumann, a prosecutor from Greensboro, North Carolina, believes that a drunk driver is not unlike a man randomly firing a loaded gun from the side of the road. Either way he is dangerous and irresponsible, and should be punished accordingly. Debbie Smith would agree: she lost her young daughter after an intoxicated truck-driver ran a red light and hit her car. His sentence amounted to 18 days, the same number of years that Smith's daughter was alive.
Joel Oakley, a criminal defense attorney from Greensboro, takes a much more lenient position on the subject. Oakley says that people who are good can sometimes do bad. He also argues that despite that a person may completely have their faculties to drive, their breathalyzer measurement may be just barely under the legal level. He believes that MADD has played a significant role in harshly condemning defendants.
“okay to drive”
The ultimate enemy of police, MADD, and other anti-drunk driving groups lies in the mentality of people who think they are "okay to drive" after a few drinks. Highly noticeable checkpoints to monitor driver sobriety can help in deterring drivers from operating a vehicle under the influence. Word of mouth spreads the message that the police force is serious, and ultimately members of the community support each other in avoiding drunk driving.
July 1, 2004
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Filed in Fatalities & Accidents | Statistics | Permalink | Comments (130)
Get caught the first time drinking and driving.... license gone for life... Or maybe in prison for life since you acutally murdered someone.
You may think it is a BS Law..... Let me tell you something
My brother was KILLED by one of you idoits in 1996...
Physically destoryed his wife....
Mentally destoryed his son
And created mental and physical problems wiht hiis daughter.
Destoryed his parents.... EVER LOST A CHILD YET
I HOPE YOU NEVER GO THROUGH this... so let's toughen up the laws more
This makes for a very difficult way to live, I have never got behind the wheel of a car drunk but I have been drunk. Personally I believe the irresponsible will remain irresponsible as long as they do not have much to worry about and they do not. A DUI wow then another and another finally your license is revoked permanently but hey you can always borrow a car. So what about those individuals who let repeated offenders drive away knowing they should not be behind the wheel of a car without a license.
Alcoholics that drink and drive for the most part I believe care for the people they have hurt, but revert back to drinking cause its what they do and eventually drive drunk again and again they are only stopped when they kill someone. Then their is the other type of alcoholic that genuinely does not care about the tragedy they have caused regardless of how many people affected. Last kind is the kind that feel so bad about what they do they stop drinking forever and even advocate no drinking and driving.
Out of all these alcoholics none of them are wrong, it is how they choose to live their life and it is how they see fit to do it. We are free to do what we want as long as we do not harm others. I am paraphrasing our constitution that drunk driver will not be stopped until he kills someone. That is how it works, there is no other rhyme or reason. The age it does not matter because being responsible depends on education and experience. So if someone is 18 or 81 he/she will drink and drive if they choose to as what they feel is the most responsible choice.
And guess what if its not alcohol there are plenty of other party drugs found in the party where the alcohol is. Alcohol can cease to exist and DUI will not. Bottom line the legal drinking age should be 18 if your old enough to die for your country then your old enough to buy a beer legally and know not to drink and drive.
In my situation I was taking medicacine for a nasal infection which impaired me I admit, now I called the doctor I was told take it as prescribed I was moving at the time since our home was lost during Hurricane Jeanne. I was told by the lady policewoman I crossed the white line and was apparently five miles over the speed limit. When Im exited the car I informed her I was on medication for my nose she did an impromt
sobriety check which I became agree at. Now I never refused a breathalyze
I have lost a child in a non-alcohol related car wreck. She was 19. Maybe she would be here if we banned all cars. Would work for the drunks too. How about that?
We need to be very careful about all these bullshit DUI laws. You know George Orwell had it right in Animal Farm, "all animals are created equal, just some animals are more equal than others". Once we allow substandard science rail road people through the legal system because we don’t like what there charged with. What's to stop special laws to jail people for the religion they have or their economic status, or there color. This is very serious; we have thrown out the constitution for a few more convictions. Hell, why don’t we just randomly send out citations to every registered driver. You know that EVERYONE has committed a DUI at one time or another, so what the hell. We don't need pesky evidence, procedure, rule of law. We should all be ashamed.
Law, no ARD if your child is in the car and he/she is under 15 yrs. So you have no prior convictions, but the "child" law cuts you off for ARD and you have no license for a year. No one was hurt, but us, by these over zealous laws. We would have a better outcome if he robbed a bank for the first time. He would probably get probation and definetely be able to drive to work! How can we have harsher punishments for something that could happen, than did happen? Criminals willing to hurt others voluntarily have less punishment. It should be dealt with on an individual basis as it was back before the "BAC" laws. By the way, the ones that drive daily und the influence with continue to do so and the ones who "have" done it are the only ones getting your punishment. You have just complicated the law, many innocent lives and driven many into depression. Isn't the name in the paper enough? I guess Welfare or Umemployment will pay for our family to survive for 12 months. Thanks MADD, guess what, you didnt make me aware with your new laws. You only made me MAD. Now you better persue a DUIM law=Driving Under the Influence of Madness
First off, who is to say that the same incident would not have happened with a person who was sober?
Now hear me out. Car accidents occur every second on the hour, each accident is and of itself an individual event.
Accidents by their very nature are things that happen, for whatever reason.
Think of what you came up with when you said shoulda, coulda, woulda.
A driver under the influence is like a driver who is an egomaniac with general disregard for people.
Hell yeah guys, we cannot operate a motor vehicle while drinking. But those damned people who had to come and make these starch like laws, ultimately deeming any judge meaningless. Lets just have a system where the most pissed off people who suffered losses make up every law.
When the hell did the victims actually become the judges and the jurors?
Well, that would actually not be a bad idea, but we sure as hell fell short when MADD got these laws passed and victims of other crimes can't get shit for justice. MADD you are selfish in your persuits, where are you when a child-killer-rapist gets nothing? Oh shit, lets see if the have a BAC, then you might be there.
I admire a person that fights for whaat they believe in, but you only fight for yourselves, you are cowards not to fight for all victims.
I am done thinking you mean something, you are why we don't have kings and queens to rule our society.
Yes drinking and driving should be punished. Yes it is stupid and the losses are terrible, but ruining more lives is not the answer.
Now tell me 10 years is too long
This is vigilantism on the low levels offenses, and is causing joblessness, homelessness and branding social drinkers as menaces to society - and funding the entire state budgets now on New Year's Eve "stakeouts" in front of the bars and restaurants.
Deal with your loss, focus on harsher penalties maybe for those instances where it is high level, repeat offenders, and please get on with your life and stop nailing others to the cross with your unresolved grief.
Oh and with all this I lost my job at the airport, again granted got a DUI, but I have had hard times finding jobs that paid the same ever since. So I accepted that I fucked up, but going back to school adn getting back on with my life doesn't work the same because of these dumb MADD bitches (no offense), but seriously I'd like to see one of them drnk and drive. You know it's sad that people died, I have had friends die for drunk drivers too, but it should be a different crime. I mean sometimes because of all the shit I have gone thru I wish I took out a couple children. Then the 15,000 I racked up on credit cards paying this off, paying my bills and rent because I couldnt find another job that paid the same. Paying off student loans that I couldnt pay off. I'm sorry for everyones loss but the fact is DUI is a revenue maker for states. And all it does is hurt the middle class. try being rish and get a DUI doesn't mean a thing.
Sorry about my rambling and nothing truly holds a good argument, but the fact of the matter is this has followed me for 2 years now I am in the same financial situation and its a misdemeanor. I know felons that have an easier time with life. I mean I am 23 trying to move on with life, but I can't. All because I didn't kill anyone so don't give that BS about your brother being killed my a drunk driver. The drive in that situation probably went to jail and his life was ruined for killing somebody.
I'm sorry betsy I guess I am getting everything out at the rest of the posts. Your point is valid that MADD was started as a way to make people more aware that their actions can cost more and affect more than just thri lives. The MADD generation is like STDS and safe sex today in a sense. One night or error changes others aswell. The fact is people die everyday from disstracted, tired drivers and there has to be something better than this MADD group. And honestly I think MADD has a bad rep. The individuals that are apart of the organization just dont want other peoples lives changed in the same way as theres, and I think the fact that politics and money has came into play here its a whole new game. Instead of MADD spending money rying to make harsher penalities and prohibit drinking why dont they spend money and promote/fund free taxi services. Teaching kids at a young age to take a cab instead of not doing it.
I just want to know since its proven cell phone related accidents are higher than DUI. Is there going to be law changes for that? In what, 5 states already, it's illegal to talk on your cell phone. You are acquired to have a handsfree device. Even though its been proven that cell phones cause no more distraction than having mulitple people in a vehicle along with a driver.
I mean the idea of MADD was great and those mothers caused awareness of not drinking and driving, but come on instead of lobbying congress spending millions they should have just spent it on free or discounted cab rides. I mean if I grew up know that I can have a free ride home if I go to bars I would always choose that route. It's just a hard scenerio because loved ones do die, people that drink and drive dont learn their lessons, and then there are the ones that do and they got crucified. And the revenue is exponential for state and local governments. Not to mention that BS SR-22 that is paid out to insurance agencies which is required by the state for 3-5 years.
How are you convicted wrongly of a DUI? Breath test???
Your best bet, leave the beer etc alone and follow Gods plan
gods plan has nothing to do with driving a car sober or otherwise
i have a b card and cant take communion at church or i loose my license for 6 years ? gods plan?
Nitwits. You're all probably drunk while you comment on here!
We should have laws against drinking-and-posting...
The main flaw in your logic is that you compare accidental deaths like falling, drowning, sober drivers, with an accident involving someone who chose to drink and drive. Apples and oranges - like a nitwit.
Now you might argue that smoking is not in the 'accident' category, and I would agree. People choose to smoke (advertising influences aside) and second-hand smoke victims do not choose to be affected. But haven't we also enacted laws regarding second-hand smoke? You might point out that the consequences do not compare to those for drunk driving -- but neither do the results.
Here are some facts for you:
Fact: Jesus did not cause accidents that could have been prevented by not drinking or not drinking in excess.
Fact: With your first drink, your judgment starts to become impaired.
Facts: If you choose to drink, then choose to drive under even the least bit of 'influenced' judgment, you are choosing to drive at a risk to yourself, your passengers, and others on the road.
Fact: Your 'more likely than' death logic is that of a nitwit. (See fact below)
Fact: I'm more likely to die in a random accident than I am likely to be murdered. By your argument, that makes the murder more acceptable!
Fact: Instead of doing more 'research', you should work on your spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Fact: I'm am not a liberal.
Fact: I have said nothing to agree or disagree with the laws, consequences, or special circumstances surrounding the larger issue.
Fact: Everyone is entitled to their opinion, with or without "research" (which should be more than comparing random percentages of things that aren't even in the same category).
What is this supposed to mean? What does it prove? Educated me, please! Let me educate you about how silly this 'research' of yours is:
You say there are more drivers than smokers, yet more people die from smoking. Of course there are! You don't have to look up stats on that one.
Look behind the numbers for once: Generally, smoking has a much stronger causality when it comes to death than does driving. Across the board, it's much easier to drive a car (for a lifetime) and not die from it than it is to smoke (for a lifetime) and not die from it.
So of course more people die from smoking! But what does that prove in relation to drunk driving fatalities??
I will remind you that you're comparing smoking (which 99% of the time only affects the smoker) to drunk driving fatalities which (more than 1% of the time) affect those OTHER than the influenced driver.
So get off your 'I will educate you with a few random numbers' high horse and come back with some real reasoning in your argument -- maybe then you will avoid the 'nitwit' moniker.
PPS - Bet you couldn't guess, but I actually AGREE that the ripple effects of the consequences for this are too far-reaching (non-fatality infractions) and have too much of an impact on the life of a driver in a non-victim incident.
I came here curious after photographing a wedding just knowing that the vast majority of TOTALLY HAMMERED guests would drive away in their car last night.
Wished more people would see the same.
I go to High Schools, organization and give my presentation what can and does happen.
You can not believe the positive response I see and hear about after I leave.
Four young teenagers at my daughter's school were killed in an accident her sophomore year shortly after getting their driver's licenses when they were driving up to one of the girl's father's cabin up north. They were driving against the afternoon sun, talking most likely and traveled into the path of an oncoming semi-tractor trailer. All died instantly. Three years later, the father of one of the girls took his own life because he blamed himself for the accident. What you don't realize is that many of these individuals are remorseful, and punishing them for year after year, and with the fines involved now - this is for people that DIDN'T create an actual criminal act at all - since a criminal act involves a victim, and there must be a loss of property or injury for it to be considered criminal under the common law. Yes, those that kill someone deserve to go to jail so they can be removed from society and also as a punishment for their crime. But once someone has paid for that crime, then that is the point of our entire criminal justice system. This is "life long" condemnation for social drinking and has criminalized over 2/3rds the population. It has gone too far at this point for the low level offenses.
And I do think you need to deal with your grief, since you are quite missing the point in what most of these posts are about. It is about the lower level offenses where there is no death or injury involved. Stepping out your front door is also a risk. Many die from those that fall asleep at the wheel - so are you saying their grief is any less?
Get a grip.
Some simple math. If the number of deaths DECREASED (even a little) while at the same time the population INCREASED (meaning more drivers on the roads) that means THE SYSTEM IS WORKING. Hell, if the number of deaths stay the same while the population increases, that means the system is working.
DUH!
That's pretty good.
It's laughable some of the arguments that have been posted here. Some of you want to be able to drink (over the limit) and drive all day long with no consequence because you are drinkers. Some of you want nobody to be able to drink and drive regardless of the limit because you are non-drinkers, many of you bible-thumpers who think your beliefs should be imposed on every one else. And some of you have suffered a loss and no one doubts the profound impact it had on your life. But it is zealots who take their personal and very specific circumstances and then try to apply overbroad solutions that are ruining this country, destroying our Constitution, and turning a once free country into more and more of a police state.
Fact: IN NC, some who are convicted of 1st offense DUI and others who are convicted of a 2nd offense within 7 years, are required to have an interlock system installed on all their registered vehicles for one year after they are eligible to have restore their license. But if they do not have a registered vehicle or chose not to register the vehicle they have, or even if they sell the vehicle they have and so do not even own a vehicle, and then chose not to drive for one year, after that year, they are still required to get an interlock system on any vehicle they buy or register. So, assuming the law was intended to protect the public for one year from the possibility of recidivism, then isn't not driving for one year achieving that goal? So how sensible is that law? One could not drive for 20 years and then if they decided to get their license back, they would be required to have an interlock device installed 20 years later. And do you know why this is? It's money, plain and simple. The politicians that enacted the law are in bed with the company that provides the interlock system. People choosing not to drive does not make that company any money.
So let's be clear, DUI laws are like any other, many times their is good old fashioned pro barrel politics at work. Sensible DUI laws make sense. But the kind of money MADD and other lobbyists have put into the hands of politicians makes me know that these laws are not truly about protecting the public, they are about money, pwer, and influence.
However, I did not injure anyone. I have a college degree and a professional career....now am faced with losing everything.
I can not take much more before the harshness of the law, the embarrassment, self-confidence and dignity will push me to the limit to take my own life.
I can drive myself to therapy, I can not drive my child to school, I can drive him to take him his lunch when he forgets it, I can not take him to science fair or extra-curricular events. I have lost my job, my pride, my childs ability to be involved in things.
I have an 80 year old parent who lives 2 hrs. away and helps when is able, but I fear his life on the road.
I no longer feel police are there to protect. I believe this is all a money maker for the system. The state, the city, the attorneys, the insurance companies etc....
I regret my mistake, but do other lives really need to be ruined in the process. I now hate my life and have nothing to live for. My drive, motivation, desire to be successful is gone thanks to our legal system.
Good-Bye!!
It is terrible that you made a mistake and lost all that you worked for. You are probably in your early twenties if you are in law school. Well that is 20 years of education and hard work lost due to a 15 minute poor judgement call. And that is not fair punishment. Yes, you could have hit someone before you reached home, and that is when you deserve a harsher punishment. But just the risk does not call for that hard of a sentence.
The both of you represent the Black and the White in this situation. You need to remember the Grey areas where they meet. Look at each others perspective before you make a final decision.
You never know the full story- the driver could have been driving to a hospital because he's a hemophiliac and got cut somehow while drinking at a party. It's a stretch, but you never know. Just open your minds to the possibilities, and such an open mind will help you find peace in yourself. You say God is forgiving am I right? Well we are His children, are we not? So follow in His footsteps- forgiveness is not just a holy action, its is for all of us.
Stone cold sober people run red lights, cross the center line, do the same things many times drunk drivers do. There was a recent accident in Arizona and two 16 year old kids were killed by a drunk driving Mexican. Everyone was in an uproar again due to the loss to these two kids lives. What is missed is that 16 year olds also are not the best drivers, and have little experience. This accident happened at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning when most parents know that teens aren't even coherent until at least 11:00 in order to make a school band practice.
That is why it is at least important to have jury trials in these matters reinstituted, especially with the punishments at the levels they now are for even first time low level offenders. But those low level punishments when there is not property loss or injury involved do need to be changed in order to let the punishment fit the crime - right now they are "cruel and unusual," and not Constitutional in the slightest.
And many use cell phones also and get in accidents involving deaths. Should we up the punishments now for those and make them attend "cell phone rehabilitative" classes?
My argument:
1. There has to be a line where the punishment for non-accident DUI stops getting worse.
2. On an individual case basis, where there was no accident, the DUI case IS a victimless crime that did not cause property damage and where no malice was intended.
3. Destroying lives through the use of probation, criminal records, and excessive jailtime is more vengeful than it is just. This is not to say there shouldn't be a punishment. Remember, the legal limit has steadily gone down and punishments gotten worse due to MADD lobbying and my point is it has to stop somewhere. I am not saying drunk drivers should go free, I am saying that people are supporting this lobby out of strong emotion and the fact that the lobby uses appeal to emotion as their logic. It should be noted, "appeal to emotion" is a logical fallacy.
4. MADD has grown to be a monster. Where they have succeeded in accomplishing their goal they now have become a tyrannical force that is simply trying to carry out the revenge of the wronged to a point that the punishment is not befitting of the crime (a non-accident DUI).
The point of our criminal justice system is to address crimes which are committed. In order to have a crime, you have to have a victim. "Society" itself is really not a victim if there has been no loss or damage or injury. Your logic astounds me. I'm all for getting "drunk" drivers off the road, but this is backdoor prohibition, unless and until there is all night public transportation available. It is also a revenue generator, and "easy duty" for police officers, who get bonuses according to how many people they can bust in order to get those federal grant monies. And there is now abuse and injuries done to many of these people during these "investigations."
.08 is the level of a hit of Vick's Formula 44D. Please get real, the statistics of the level in which it is a true danger have been overblown, and are not at all in the realm of reasonableness when culturally we are a social society and drinking is a part of it. Even Ms. Lightner has left this organization. So this is a "jobs and the economy" move for the lawyers, DUI schools, psychologists, insurers, and the rest of the parasites while destroying one who has actually committed no "criminal" act or crime other than leaving a bar or restaurant. There are policemen stalking now so they can make quota, while the violent crimes and property thefts are increasing.
It's now way over the top, and something needs to be done before the next victim of police brutality is a headline. Two such individuals dies recently in Arizona jails, after being tazered and beaten to death.
And that is what is truly criminal.
_____________________________________
anrik
<a href="http://www.addictionrecovery.net/hawaii">Addiction Recovery Hawaii</a>
its a scam and peoples lives are greatly afected by it. it is a risk to drive no matter what, if i drive i could be killed by an old bastard or poor visioned driver or what ever its a risk we tend to over look
make booze illegal and exicute the fuckers that drink
Oh and as much as I'd rather turn the other cheek to some 'militant' MADD suporters...I'm a 29 year old 3 time offender that has been fortunate enough to see the light of day and have nearly three years sobriety. Two degrees (including an MBA with honors) and a CPA license later I hold the position as the CFO for a major real estate company (with NO driver license...so its possible to work a decent job without a license if your willing to work hard and change your ways) and probably have prepared one of your relatives tax returns at some point...so there is hope for those who have been traveling the wrong road...don't give up and if you have a problem (as I did) address it and move on.
Oh and I WILL drive again (June 2012) for those of you who advocate perminent revocation...what an asinine view some of you have!
Once again lets simply address the issue...identify a legal limit that makes sense...and install devices that lock out at or above it and be DONE with it!
I personally believe that the consequences are not tough enough in our state. If the consequences were more strict right from the front line, and did not offer an option of plea-bargaining for lesser charges, then it would serve as the deterrent and be more effective, and there would not be 600+ arrests in one specific county area alone in one year. The message would be much clearer and more effective if the option to "cut a deal" was not available, and if the understanding that an offender would lose their license for a long period of time from the get go, and if committing a 2nd offense, would have their license either suspended for between 5-10 years or permanently revoked, individuals would take things more seriously instead of scoffing at the law, and going about doing what they want. If others are able to abide by the law, what makes these individuals the exception to any rule??
I too have my second DUI in the crazy state of Pennsylvania. I'll admit, I was over the legal limit and should not have been driving. But I was ablt to stop my car and have a conversation with the officer at a check point where of course...I was arrested for DUI.
I hear everyone talking about how it's against the law and you just shouldn't do it! You deserve what you get! You would want harsher penalties too if you had a loved one killed by a drunk driver! All of these things are true I suppose and I don't mean to minimalize them in any way. However, once upon a time in this country, you were 100% innocent until proven guilty of a crime. You were not merely sentenced based on what could happen (ie. driving a car under the influence could kill someone...that's why it's so bad). I understand all of this...but to anyone who is ready this...please, instead of becoming so angry at what I have to say I would kindly ask you to at least read the entire message of what I am trying to say.
In Pennsylvania, I'll admit I was over the legal limit, however I was also in control of my vehicle (please, I know you are all saying.."that's what every drunk says..." But I was about 175lbs at the time and did have a buzz....bad judgement yes...should it be against the law...no!
Laws should not be based upon someones moral picture of the situation. It's just like religion. We all know that can be a hot topic too. The reality is that some people have a higher tolerance etc. Early civilizations were based on the consumption of alcohol. It is perfectly ok. And contrary to what the new industry of Mental health will have you think, it is ok to get down right Hammerred. What has happened to our society. It's crazy. It's called having fun and having a good time once in a while. I'm NOT saying it's ok to get in the car and drive after you are HAMMERED! I'm just saying let's look at what we have created here. A society that crucifies someone for drinking and driving.
If the laws were equal, I guess I wouldn't have as much of a problem with the whole thing. Someone who has a bac of .10 or even .15 heck, and gets home safely isn't who you should be worried about. It's the individual who sits at the bar all day and who has been doing it for years and who has a bac of .20 pretty much everyday who probably will, since his capacities have been destroyed after 10, 20 years of constant drinking, hurt someone in the future. That's who the law was going after to begin with. And if it's your child who has had to much to drink and who drives, they simply made a bad decision.
Let's put it into persepective:
The pregnant woman who consumes a glass of wine at dinner while out at a local restaurant should be put away for 10 years (that's the way I see it). Hey, who knows, she could be damaging the fetus. And if she is so carefree to do it while she is out dining, what else does she do. Oh my gosh...is she also smoking a cigarette? Wow, let's put her away for 20 years. Her intentions may not be to kill or harm the fetus, of course she doesn't mean to do this...she is an expecting mother. Let's simply make it a law that if anyone witnesses this behavior, that on the spot, a citizens arrest should be make immediatley!! My gosh, we can't waste too much time here. She needs help and we need to save the baby.
Or what about the individual who drives 85 down the interstate highway system. We have all seen this right. Whether you live in the mid states or around Washington D.C. it happens everyday. And almost every day you see an accident....ok, maybe every other day! That person wasn't drinking at all, or at least I hope not. But they made a concious decision to go 20 miles or depending on the posted speed limit 30 miles over the speed limit! The have a highly dangerous projectile that they are controlling. It's almost like a bullet. Ploice should be placed on the highway system every 15 miles and the first time anyone in the United States is caught breaking the speed limit in this way they automatically lose their license and serve prison time. Heck, make it a misdemeanor while your at it. Now, I'm sure plenty of you are laughing, but wait a second here. You WILL kill someone at that speed. No doubt about it. And you made the concious decision to drive like that. At least if you were drinking someone could say "he was drunk, he wasn't thinking clearly". But I'm not saying only arrest them and convict them if they are in an accident, I'm saying immediatlely, accident or not. If you disagree at all, I challenge you to look at your stance on the DUI laws. Please, take a look and ask friends and family and truly challenge yourself. Don't just pacify your need to prove that you are correct, truly ask if you are right in believing that DUI or DWI laws are not strict enough.
My case because I'm sure you would like to know, happened like this. My first was on my birthday...go figure right. It was a .11.....really, not lie. I was so mad at the officer and made him a little angry by calling him a few names, so he pushed for a DUI. Guess i should have kept my mouth shut :). The second was very simple. My stepfather recently had surgery to remove a brain tumor and lymphoma..it was pretty bad and someone who I feel in love with made a handful of bad decisions and the relationship ended at that point. I wasn't feeling the best. Makes sense right...I mean I didn't need therapy or anything, I was just pretty bummed, but I was holding it together. A good friend said hey bud, why don't you come on out with us and meet us at.........place. So I did. I had some appetizers, some laughs and had a good time. For a the first time in a couple of days i actually had my spirits lifted by some friends at a bar! SSHHHHH....that kinda talk could get you hung in these parts....:) I left and the rest is history. Since it was my second offense within 10 years I spent 45 days in jail, 90 days house arrest, 5 years probation, approximately 10,000 total in expenses. I now have a criminal record (pennylvania will not expunge them). Oh, I also have a real college degree, but i can't get a better job beccause I have a criminal record. Wow. Do you think MADD offers free counseling. Because I really need it now. I almost lost my job a couple of times because I couldn't get there on time (I'm single so I don't have family right around the corner and my firends all have families, so i couldn't rely on them for a ride. Most people who go off to college are in towns where they didn't grow up.) It was a mess. Then I put the ignition interlock on my car (which is mandatory as well in Pennsylvania.) I was so broke at this time, but I had to get my car back. If you didn't have the car at the service stations on the day it was required, it would lock up and not start, then you would have to get it towed.) So i began taking out payday advance loans from companies on the internet to make sure I had the money on that day, because i knew I couldn't afford to have it towed to the station (25 miles away). Well, even with a college degree I knew that payday loans were not the way to go, but I really had no choice. So I did them for about a year and as you can imagine they are horrible. I eneded up taking out payday loan after payday loan to cover the first one. I ended up 15,000 dollars in debt with them. it made me late on my regular bills and harmed my credit. LOL....wow. All because I was having a bad day and some friends said hey, come have a drink and feel better.
I guess some people would say well, you see, you made a bad choice and you won't do that again. I say are you crazy? Listen, laws are governed by people, people should never be totally governed by laws! These laws are crazy, just because they are LAWS doesn't make them right! The only thing I would change if I had to do it all over again is just not to get caught. I should be able to go out and have some fun. Has everyone in the country become a prude? My goodness. Does anyone remember what it was like to have fun.
After all that I had to go through, let me tell you, I have many times thought about finding some sort of substance just to get me through it all. I never felt that way before.
The DUI Laws destroy lives in Pennsylvania and the United States. Plain and simple. And if you are a supporter, then welcome to a world that will soon be free of choice! It may not be your choice, but you do not have the choice to take away my choices.
I will spend the rest of my days....a little here...and a little there...making sure that sanity prevailes.
Thank You for reading.
I like your explanation too about speeding. It is exactly right on. If you are going to punish the DUI with the Possibility of killing someone, then lets do the same with the speeder. It is an even greater offense because they (supposedly) know what they are doing. The DUI is slightly impaired when they make the decision to drive. LOL
I would like to work toward getting the laws changed, but they are such emotional laws. MADD has done a good job of marketing their agenda. How did the laws get to be so strict? Well, it just took MADD and emotion to do it. So how do we show how many lives are ruined because a person stopped for a couple (yes I mean 2-3) drinks on their way home from work and gets stopped. If we could only start a group - maybe call it Rational Citizens Against MADD.
It was nice reading your post - thanks for sharing.
I thought I had my addiction under control. But stress got the better of me and I drove afterwards. I was in process of finalizing probation for the first DUI ... my license still had not been reinstated. So that's sum total of four middle fingers to the People of my State. I do deserve all the time I get (which could be two years).
I am now going to AA; we as a family are going to church. I would love to volunteer for programs for victims of drunk driving, or addiction-help programs. Yes, I should have done this two weeks ago. Bottom line, my life will bever be the same - and more importantly-- nor will moy son's or wife's. The one positive in all of this is that no one else was hurt. I suffered two broken ribs and a cracked vertebrae (C1). Had the impact been 1/2 inch higher or lower, I would have been killed or fully paralyzed. I am still capable of full health for a reason.
I could have killed anyone's loved one. And not even known. The fact I am here tells me it is due to more than just being a "flexible drunk".
I will be an advocate for fighting addictions and also limiting drunk/drugged driving. I need to be an advocate, I owe so many.
I will likely lose my job...one I fought hard for and one in which I am very successful. I will go to jail for as little as 3 mos to 2 yrs. My wife says she will stand by me. I would truly be blessed if she would, but I don't know if that's best -- the burden would be difficult for her and our son.
I thought as a Dad I would teach my son the right things to do. And I am, sadly--by showing what NOT to do. Time to man up and face responsibility and consequences. Please let me know of any volunteer programs I can begin before jail-- dunking tank at a MADD event would likely be one, I know.
But you didn't. You chose to drink and drive. You chose to put other drivers, pedestrians, and basically anyone near a road in danger. Maybe you didn't kill anyone that time, but if you got a slap on the wrist, would you hesitate to do it again? Of course not. And I don't think we should take the chance. Drunk driving should be met with a permanent ban on having a driver's license and escalating penalties if there are others injured or property damages. I would advocate mandatory jail time for any harm done to another person and second degree murder charges for any deaths caused.
Think I don't know what I am talking about? A drunk driver ran up on my family's lawn when I was very young and we're lucky he didn't hit the house. If he had, I probably wouldn't be here today, neither would my mother, father, little sister, my parents friends, or their children; we were all in the front room for dinner. I'll never forget how scared I was seeing those headlights and then my parents talking to the police. Also, a family who lives near mine lost their little girl to a drunk driver when their car was hit.
Drunk driving is a choice. Period. The decision is made before the alcohol is consumed. If someone has so little regard for the safety and lives of others that they choose to drink and drive, I don't want them on the road. EVER.
As long as people drink there will be no stopping it, most of you are way too young to remember prohibition...My self included, but it didn't stop the drinking, bloody wars were fought by gangs for control of the boot leg whiskey made....Outlaw booze??? Get real it will be prohibition all over, whether its by laws or people in MADD....People are going to drink, drunks will continue to kill people...
Read somewhere where some person said that ALL cars should be equipped with "Smart Start units", good point then no drunk would be able to start their car after drinking, but here's the down side to that...There are other things from hair spray to mouth wash, and even a "honey bun" can give a "positive" reading....Which means your Doctor puts on his aftershave goes to his car, takes a deep breath, and the fumes from his aftershave shows a "positive" he can't get to the hospital to save you....Yeah lets put them in police cars ambulances all emergency vehicles, and when they blow a positive again your home burns to the ground or you die because an ambulance won't start...
See how ridiculous this can be to rid our streets of drunks???





