#1146 - 10/03/07 01:42 PM
suggested changes in laws to lessen drunk driving
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susie
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Registered: 10/03/07
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Hi All,
I happen to participate in another kind of forum, and the subject of drunk driving came up which sparked an interest here. If I remember right, I think about 400,000 people are killed in a year's time. One member suggested that anyone receiving a DWI or DUI be imprisoned for life, no exceptions.
I am interested to hear any kind of opinion from members here about the idea listed above and/or about the ideas listed below.
So far, I see that 1/3 to 1/2 of the people cited for DWI's are repeat offenders, which is much higher than I first assumed. And this total number is less than the amount of new people who contnue to be cited. It seems that, whether already cited or not, people who drink and drive assume they won't get caught. And statistics show they are right in assuming that the odds are very much in their favor because the average drunk driver has driven many, many times before without getting caught. Apparently, many people's judgment and driving skills are impaired by drinking alcohol without the tell-tale signs of weaving.
My take is, putting people cited with DWI's away for life, if implemented, will make a difference, but it will not produce as much of an impact as I first thought because it is dealing only with repeat offenders.
Since convincing drivers that they will get caught currently seems to me to be the most effective overall tactic in reducing the number of drunk driving accidents I have a few thoughts to offer, found on http://www.popcenter.org/Problems/problem-drunk_driving_p3.htm.
one idea is to increase the number of random check points and making them more public so that people will think twice before drinking and driving.
Another is to enable the police to ask any driver to submit to a breath test randomly without the reasonable evidence they need now that indicates the person probably has been drinking. This is done in Europe and has been shown to reduce the number of accidents, partly because people no longer get subjected to as much peer pressure to "have another drink". And when subjected, they have understandable justification for declining.
Another is to also continue reducing the percentage of lawful blood-alcohol allowed when driving. From what I understand so far, even below CA's blood-alcohol limit, .08, judgment and driving skill can be impaired.
Another is to provide alternative transportation options to drinking drivers. From the link:
Quote:
"There is evidence that drinking drivers, even heavy drinkers, will use alternative transportation if it is made readily available. There is also evidence that alternative transportation programs can significantly reduce the incidence of drunk driving and alcohol-related traffic crashes and injuries. Such programs are most successful when drivers are not forced to leave their vehicles at the drinking location: the best programs take the drinker to the drinking location and then return him to his home.
A pilot program in Wisconsin used business marketing principles to develop and promote taxi and limousine transportation to, from, and between bars in a rural community. Rather than trying to discourage drinking, the initiative acknowledged the local bar culture and sought to address patrons’ specific reasons for driving after drinking (Karsten and Rothschild, 2003) [PDF]. An initiative in Wisconsin known as SafeRide that provides funding assistance to taverns to promote alternative transportation for patrons is partially funded by a surcharge on drunk driving convictions. An evaluation of the initiative concluded that it is cost-effective (Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 2005). "
Thanks so much for reading and for any ideas an opinions you care to post here.
susie
Edited by susie (10/03/07 01:43 PM)
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#1148 - 10/03/07 08:53 PM
Re: suggested changes in laws to lessen drunk driving
[Re: susie]
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Administrator
Forum Almighty
Journeyman
Registered: 03/01/07
Posts: 87
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Susie,
Thanks for the post and if we can get enough opinions on what type of actions should be taken in regards to drunk drivers, we can put up a poll and allow our readers to vote on the method that they feel would be the most helpful in reducing the amount of drunk drivers currently on the road.
Thanks,
Forum Administrator
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#1149 - 10/04/07 11:07 AM
Re: suggested changes in laws to lessen drunk driving
[Re: Administrator]
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susie
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Registered: 10/03/07
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Cool! Thanks so much for the reply!
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#1278 - 12/17/07 10:49 AM
Re: suggested changes in laws to lessen drunk driving
[Re: susie]
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shadingscars
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Registered: 12/17/07
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Must of the problems that come from drunk driving can be avoided if people actually just showed some common sense and thought of others instead of just themselves.
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#1312 - 12/17/07 10:00 PM
Re: suggested changes in laws to lessen drunk driving
[Re: shadingscars]
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hidden
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Registered: 12/13/07
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Very true. People just need to think. They know there are problems with drinking and driving yet they go out and drink when they know they have no other ride home. Punishment should be more severe.
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#1616 - 02/21/08 08:51 PM
Re: suggested changes in laws to lessen drunk driving
[Re: hidden]
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mcfarb67
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Registered: 01/30/08
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I think that every bar in our country should make all people deposit their keys into some kind of holding cell, upon entering the bar. Then to retain their keys the customer should have to prove their sobriety by using a breathalizer, or some other type of test. Thsi would end many drunk driving accidents, or killings
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#1629 - 02/22/08 09:35 AM
Re: suggested changes in laws to lessen drunk driving
[Re: mcfarb67]
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hidden
Journeyman
Registered: 12/13/07
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That is a good idea but I do not see people as being willing to do that. Or they may have 2 sets of keys in an effort to get past this law.
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