DUI ? Time to stop drinking

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you to all who responded.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

It was a head on collision on the interstate at speed. I received some damage. I had a couple spinal fractures that required rods and screws, some pretty bad facial lacerations that required plastic surgery, and my knees don't love me anymore.

What happened to the person that hit you?

 

[Colleen27]

It might be the end of the world for someone, who is killed by the drunk driver, even if it's the drunk driver's first offense.

But the statistical reality is that most alcohol-related fatalities involve drivers who are 2-3 times the legal limit (assuming a.08 limit), not the social drinker who didn't let enough time elapse between her second glass of wine and her drive home. Which isn't to excuse the latter or say that driving home at/near the limit is okay, but the previous poster is right - a social drinker getting a DUI for being just barely over the limit isn't the end of the world.

I think the penalties and logical consequences to a DUI depend on the severity of the offense; someone who misjudged how much he had to drink and drove with a .081BAC doesn't commit the same crime as someone who closed down the bar and then tried to drive home stumbling drunk with a .27. One is clearly an indicator of a major problem, while the other is an error in judgment. We don't penalize drag racing the same as doing 5 over on the interstate, and we shouldn't penalize driving hammered as the same as driving slightly impaired.

 

[golfgal]

Drink yourself silly for all I care but they should NOT be allowed to drive-period. I know in MN if you get a DWI (or maybe on your second one) you get issued "Whiskey" license plates. They are a license plate with a W circled at the beginning of the number. At least other people around you know you have a DWI but I still think they should just have their car and license taken away.

Senior year in college my roommate's mom was killed by a drunk driver over Christmas vacation.

 

[shortbun]

DUI = never,ever have another drink and then get behind the wheel. If that is not possible, you are an alcoholic. I've never had a DUI. I never, ever drink and drive. Alcohol is not that important to me. If it's THAT important-one's thought process is skewed.

 

[ols386]

But the statistical reality is that most alcohol-related fatalities involve drivers who are 2-3 times the legal limit (assuming a.08 limit), not the social drinker who didn't let enough time elapse between her second glass of wine and her drive home. Which isn't to excuse the latter or say that driving home at/near the limit is okay, but the previous poster is right - a social drinker getting a DUI for being just barely over the limit isn't the end of the world.

I think the penalties and logical consequences to a DUI depend on the severity of the offense; someone who misjudged how much he had to drink and drove with a .081BAC doesn't commit the same crime as someone who closed down the bar and then tried to drive home stumbling drunk with a .27. One is clearly an indicator of a major problem, while the other is an error in judgment. We don't penalize drag racing the same as doing 5 over on the interstate, and we shouldn't penalize driving hammered as the same as driving slightly impaired.

Whether you're a little drunk or a lot drunk, and driving, and you kill someone, that's the end of their world.

 

[gawrsh2008]

Drink yourself silly for all I care but they should NOT be allowed to drive-period. I know in MN if you get a DWI (or maybe on your second one) you get issued "Whiskey" license plates. They are a license plate with a W circled at the beginning of the number. At least other people around you know you have a DWI but I still think they should just have their car and license taken away.

Senior year in college my roommate's mom was killed by a drunk driver over Christmas vacation.

I agree with you on the not even having a sip and driving thing. Some people (me) get "drunk" after only 1 glass of wine. I would not even dream of getting in the car after I have had ANY alcohol. (Please pardon the spelling errors, if any)

I don't think that MN needs to be mentioned. I feel that DUI is viewed the same way in all of the USA. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

You drink, you drive, you get arrested. Nuff said. Please don't do it.

 

[mrodgers]

Whether you're a little drunk or a lot drunk, and driving, and you kill someone, that's the end of their world.

It's also the end of one's world who is killed by someone who runs a stop sign, or runs the red light, or doesn't hit the brakes quick enough, or drives too fast and can't control their vehicle, or has no clue whatsoever how to drive other than "this pedal makes it go, this pedal makes it stop, and this round thing makes it turn."

There are more dangerous drivers out there just driving around legally than there are drivers driving around when they are too close to the BAC limit. In my opinion, 0.08 BAC doesn't automatically make you impaired, only makes you illegal. Thus, if you blow a 0.08 and should have your license taken away forever, so should you have your license taken away for not paying attention that there was a stop sign. Both can potentially have the same devastating consequences, but if only caught, consequences are drastically different. One gets you heavy fines, license taken away, possible jail time, possible AA meetings, and a whole bunch of stuff and the other gets you nothing more than a $50 fine while both equally as dangerous to others.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I'm not sure if it still their policy, but years ago Romania to discourage DWI had the following penalties. The policy did not require an accident, just DWI.

First offense - at least six months in jail.
Second Offense - At least five years in jail and permanent loss of license.
Third and Final Offense - Firing Squad!

 

[dislaney]

Alcoholism is a disease but that doesn't excuse your actions while drunk. If you drink, please don't drive!

 

[ols386]

It's also the end of one's world who is killed by someone who runs a stop sign, or runs the red light, or doesn't hit the brakes quick enough, or drives too fast and can't control their vehicle, or has no clue whatsoever how to drive other than "this pedal makes it go, this pedal makes it stop, and this round thing makes it turn."

There are more dangerous drivers out there just driving around legally than there are drivers driving around when they are too close to the BAC limit. In my opinion, 0.08 BAC doesn't automatically make you impaired, only makes you illegal. Thus, if you blow a 0.08 and should have your license taken away forever, so should you have your license taken away for not paying attention that there was a stop sign. Both can potentially have the same devastating consequences, but if only caught, consequences are drastically different. One gets you heavy fines, license taken away, possible jail time, possible AA meetings, and a whole bunch of stuff and the other gets you nothing more than a $50 fine while both equally as dangerous to others.

I didn't say that there weren't other dangerous drivers other than someone who is driving drunk. If you run a stop sign/light, hit another vehicle and kill the driver or one of their passengers, you're going to get more than a $50 ticket. You're likely to be charged with manslaughter (or involuntary manslaughter), or something along those lines. You're not walking away with a $50 fine, in a situation like that.

 

[golfgal]

I agree with you on the not even having a sip and driving thing. Some people (me) get "drunk" after only 1 glass of wine. I would not even dream of getting in the car after I have had ANY alcohol. (Please pardon the spelling errors, if any)

I don't think that MN needs to be mentioned. I feel that DUI is viewed the same way in all of the USA. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

You drink, you drive, you get arrested. Nuff said. Please don't do it.

I am sure other states do something similar too, I am just not familiar with them. Just pointing out that at least our state gives others a warning that someone with a DWI is on the road??

 

[Colleen27]

Whether you're a little drunk or a lot drunk, and driving, and you kill someone, that's the end of their world.

But the fact is that someone "a little drunk" is mo more impaired than many other drivers on the road who are breaking no laws and is extremely unlikely to cause an accident, much less kill anyone. The lower legal limit wasn't instituted because drivers with a .08 are as dangerous as drivers with a .10+; it is there so that people who are inclined to have "just one" and still drive home are more conservative in evaluating their intake relative to the legal limit.

The overwhelming majority of serious alcohol related crashes are caused by drivers for whom "Am I okay to drive?" was never even a question - they're stumbling, slurring drunk but have enough of a problem (or enough sense of "it won't happen to me") to drive anyway.

 

[gawrsh2008]

I am sure other states do something similar too, I am just not familiar with them. Just pointing out that at least our state gives others a warning that someone with a DWI is on the road??

Please. It's not a secret that you think MN is the best state in the US. And FWIW, they do that here, too. And I'm in the SOUTH! *shudder*

 

[ols386]

But the fact is that someone "a little drunk" is mo more impaired than many other drivers on the road who are breaking no laws and is extremely unlikely to cause an accident, much less kill anyone. The lower legal limit wasn't instituted because drivers with a .08 are as dangerous as drivers with a .10+; it is there so that people who are inclined to have "just one" and still drive home are more conservative in evaluating their intake relative to the legal limit.

The overwhelming majority of serious alcohol related crashes are caused by drivers for whom "Am I okay to drive?" was never even a question - they're stumbling, slurring drunk but have enough of a problem (or enough sense of "it won't happen to me") to drive anyway.

Sorry, but I'm not exactly sure what your point is.

 

[golfgal]

Please. It's not a secret that you think MN is the best state in the US. And FWIW, they do that here, too. And I'm in the SOUTH! *shudder*

 

[Disney Doll]

When one has a DUI should one stop drinking? Of course.
Do most people stop drinking after a DUI...probably not.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

If she's just a social drinker I don't think she has to stop drinking, but absolutly stop drinking and driving, that's never okay!

 

[Gasface]

OK, a little background.

I'm 37 and an alcoholic.

Haven't drank in 28 months after my 4th DWI and many, many legal issues (I avoided any jail time).

First off, thank god no one was ever physically hurt by my disease.

Mentally is another subject. I'm married with 2 daughters and was always a highly functionally drunk. Own 2 businesses which I almost lost along with my family and house, vehicles, etc.

That's all in the past, I'm sober and life is back on track and better than it's ever been. I'm a better father, husband, friend and person.

It's never my place to judge anyone and to label them an alcoholic or otherwise, that's strictly up to them and if they want help or not. Everyone has their own "rock-bottom", it's just a question of what it is. I was lucky enough to hit mine somewhat early. I've heard much worse stories than mine.

I will say this though, anyone that decides to get inside a 3,000 pound vehicle that has the potential to kill other people after more than 2 drinks has serious reasoning issues. If your impaired enough to make the decision to drive after 2 or more drinks than it would only stand to reason that the alcohol/drug has impaired you enough to lose control of sound judgement.

My two cents

 

[DVC-Don]

Round here the second offense within 5 years is a felony with jail time automatically upon conviction.