NationStates Jolt Archive

Do you drive while drunk?

Do you hate drunk drivers?

Do you think driving drunk is irresponsible and dangerous and should be punished, but driving irresponsibly and dangerously while sober should not?

Myself, I think there are times and situations when it is alright to drive "drunk." I also think there are times and situations where people ought not to be allowed to drive even sober. It is stupidly easy to get a driver's liscense.

But nearly everyone (as nearly everyone agrees!) is a lousy driver!

I hate drunk drivers. They are irresponsible and can possibly kill innocent people (including themselves) due to their stupidity. I have no respect for repeat DUI offenders at all.

Personally, I think there should be mandantory retests every so many years to be sure people can still drive at least with basic competence (old people especially; some of them got their licenses when the era before the "horseless carriage" was still a recent memory).

Who doesn't hate drunk drivers? They kill so many innocent people a year. Their sentences if they run somebody over and kill them should be equal to that of murder. Because ultimately that's what they've done.

While I feel drunk driving is irresponsible, I found myself in the driving seat, about to turn the ignition once before I thought about it and realised I'd had 8 beers. To use a slight pun, it was a sobering thought.

Also, I've driven after being awake for ~48 hours. I would not recommend it.

I just got my license this year...I'm 27. My reason when I was a teen...well, okay, into my 20s even for not getting my license was I didn't want to be stuck as the designated driver. Now, it was great in theory, and I got to get shit-faced all the time, but it became a real pain in the ass sometimes when I had to wait for people to wake up in the morning and drive me home.

I have driven with drunk people a couple of times. And I feel really stupid for doing so. Once I rode a motorcycle with a guy who was too drunk to walk...just because the guy I liked at the time was being an ass and I wanted to freak him out:rolleyes: Fucking tequila. I've had a few close calls...I'm frankly lucky to be alive. Stupidity beyond reason. Being young, and drunk removes all sense from your brain. I would never now drive drunk or let a drunk drive me (in a vehicle...other drunk driving can be fun).

I notice now that the worst time to drive is on a Saturday morning. People are still blasted from the night before, and that's when I see the scariest driving. Now I have my girls to worry about, and I fear being hit by a drunk...well by anyone, but really it's more likely to be seriously hurt by a drunk driver. I'm pissed off that people would even take that chance...the chance that they might kill themselves or others, but I understand that inability to think beyond yourself. I don't condone it though. I think punishments for drunk driving should be as harsh as reckless endangerment charges...period. Whether the driving was reckless or not...just the fact you got drunk, and stepped into a vehicle should be considered reckless. You fucking bastards.[/rant]

I ate a car while I was driving it. Does that count for anything?

I think punishments for drunk driving should be as harsh as reckless endangerment charges...period. Whether the driving was reckless or not...just the fact you got drunk, and stepped into a vehicle should be considered reckless. You fucking bastards.[/rant]

Oh...and any crimes further committed should be added on to the sentence.

Well, if you sneakonto the course when no one's watching and hit a few, it's pretty harmless.

I ate a car while I was driving it. Does that count for anything?

You must be some kind of god...

I think drunk driving is irresponsible, driving irresponsibly while sober is stupid, and sentences should be more harsh than they are. Personally, I walk everywhere, so when I get wasted, I'm not too far from home. I'd also like to mention my dislike for driving while stoned. I've done it and it scared me, maybe because my senses were hightened, but I've also been a passenger in several cars driven by those that were stoned, and it can be frightening.

i very much agree with sinuhue. and now i'm scared. but i won't go and run away untill i told you that if you ever drink and drive i'll find you, and i'll do very nasty things to you. ye. so. just don't.

Reckless acts, whether committed while intoxicated or not, should be penalized.
Anytime personal responsibility is shirked (for whatever selfish or careless reason) and you've become a danger to others, you should be punished.

What's rediculous are "legal limits" that are set so low (close to zero tolerance) that they defy reason, as the overwhelming majority of citizens would not be dangerous or near intoxicated.

Careless, reckless or offensive driving should be penalized regardless of the reason for the offense, be it intoxication or stupidity.
My father was killed in an automobile accident when I was four, and I have nothing but contempt for selfish assholes who decide to weild an automobile like a weapon. That's libertine, not libertarian. Nobody has the right to endanger others to shave a few minutes off their commute or get home from a wild party.

I am not old enough to drink, barely old enough to drive.

Drunk driving is irresponsible. When I go to parties, I always ask a friend to stop me from driving if I am too drunk. That is, if I get the idea to drive, he or she is to stop me. I usually tell several, as they may get drunk too. I usually indoctrinate myself not to drink while drunk as well, to further reduce the risk.

If all else fails, I drive a moped, hence, if I drive while drunk, I am more likely to hurt myself than other people (in an accident that involves no one).

I have, as of yet, not driven while drunk and do not plan on this.

I find a stiff, triple bourbon helps relax the nerves before attempting to negotiate the highways whilst driving my motor-car.

I've cycled completely slaughterd home before form some parties since public transport finnished pretty early and shit its the best! Empty roads going downhill speeding away so nice. So I can see how mabey driving drunk might be a bit of fun. But unless its like 3 am and empty roads I'd never even consider it.

Also, if it was good enough for Bush and Ted Kennedy, then lets all have a mint julip and drive to the Moving Pictures.

I ended up with internal injuries, both kneecaps cracked, all my toes broken, and my entire right femur and hip shattered all thanks to a drunk driver. I had to have a total of 6 surgeries and spent almost 2 years in a wheelchair and felt extremely lucky to survive. What do you think I think of drunks on wheels?

I don't condone drunk drivers at all, but I have an interesting story I'd like to get some input on.

I'm on probation right now for a DUI. Two years ago, I was at the bar with my buddies, drinkin and having a good time. Wasn't really drunk,( I can drink a twelve pack with ease, and only had about 6 or 7 beers) and about an hour before I left, I switched to Pepsi. I felt stone sober when I left to go home. A mile from my house, I WAS HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER. My car was totaled, I was JUST over the legal limit (the same one that allows a light weight first time drinker to get toasted) and I got 30 days of house arrest, 2 years of probation and over 2k dollars in fines.

The drunk driver got the same, minus house arrest, because I got in trouble when I was a kid for "Drinking and driving while being under the age of 21" My blood alcohol level was about .014 (.08 is the legal limit for "of age" people)

Now I don't condone DUI behavior, but who thinks that that is fair?

I don't condone drunk drivers at all, but I have an interesting story I'd like to get some input on.

I'm on probation right now for a DUI. Two years ago, I was at the bar with my buddies, drinkin and having a good time. Wasn't really drunk,( I can drink a twelve pack with ease, and only had about 6 or 7 beers) and about an hour before I left, I switched to Pepsi. I felt stone sober when I left to go home. A mile from my house, I WAS HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER. My car was totaled, I was JUST over the legal limit (the same one that allows a light weight first time drinker to get toasted) and I got 30 days of house arrest, 2 years of probation and over 2k dollars in fines.

The drunk driver got the same, minus house arrest, because I got in trouble when I was a kid for "Drinking and driving while being under the age of 21" My blood alcohol level was about .014 (.08 is the legal limit for "of age" people)

Now I don't condone DUI behavior, but who thinks that that is fair?
Great.

Our wonderful justice system is at it again.:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

Great.

Our wonderful justice system is at it again.:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

Not really. He was over the limit, and he had priors for a similar offence. Looking at it objectively, that sentencing is fair.

Not really. He was over the limit, and he had priors for a similar offence. Looking at it objectively, that sentencing is fair.
Minutely over the limit shouldn't get you arrested for being intoxicated( i know it has nothing to do with it, just my personal view.)...i think the point of the whole story was that he got a harsher punishment than the drunk driver of the vehicle that struck him. This was also the point i was trying to make, the benefactor being treated harsher than the malefactor. While it may have been a fair judgement for HIM, for the other driver that caused the wreck in the first place to get a lesser punishment doesn't particularly sound fair.

Not really. He was over the limit, and he had priors for a similar offence. Looking at it objectively, that sentencing is fair.
I'll be the first to admit that legally, it's 100% fair, and I have been fully responsible with my obligations.

I'm speaking morally. Is it fair that I got a harsher sentence than the dude that was wasted and hit me?

Incidentally, the prosecutor wanted me to serve jail time, and I got out of that WITHOUT a lawyer. I was my own counsel, and the prosecutor really hates me now, because I made him look like an idiot in court.

I ended up with internal injuries, both kneecaps cracked, all my toes broken, and my entire right femur and hip shattered all thanks to a drunk driver. I had to have a total of 6 surgeries and spent almost 2 years in a wheelchair and felt extremely lucky to survive. What do you think I think of drunks on wheels?Haha, drunks on wheels. I think you just pitched a new movie title.(seriously though, that sucks.)

<snip>

Indeed. But how is a judge to know which person caused the crash and how much both parties drinking affected it? They would have got equal punishment, but he had priors, so his punnishment was pushed up a level.

I'm speaking morally. Is it fair that I got a harsher sentence than the dude that was wasted and hit me?

Exactly my point.

Indeed. But how is a judge to know which person caused the crash and how much both parties drinking affected it? They would have got equal punishment, but he had priors, so his punnishment was pushed up a level.
Well, to tell who hit who just check out a pic of the scene of the crash (im assuming head on or from the side?)
But, i guess what im trying to say is that from his standpoint it doesnt sound fair.

Well i cant drive,so if i tried while drunk it would definately result in an huge accident,most likely killing me and others.maybe i should learn to drive before i do it drunk?;)

I'll be the first to admit that legally, it's 100% fair, and I have been fully responsible with my obligations.

Cool. You're part of the better half of the human race then.


I'm speaking morally. Is it fair that I got a harsher sentence than the dude that was wasted and hit me?

Yes. If the two incidences were seperate (if you'd been pulled by a cop car or something) you recieving a harsher sentance would be morally justifiable. You were unlucky here, not unfairly treated.

Incidentally, the prosecutor wanted me to serve jail time, and I got out of that WITHOUT a lawyer. I was my own counsel, and the prosecutor really hates me now, because I made him look like an idiot in court.

A silver lining. Good job.

Indeed. But how is a judge to know which person caused the crash and how much both parties drinking affected it? They would have got equal punishment, but he had priors, so his punnishment was pushed up a level.
It was in the police report, dude. I was driving 30 mph in a 30 mph zone. He was doing 80 and rear ended me.

And as to how they knew how it affected me, I passed every field sobriety test. Walk a straight line, count backwards from 50, follow the light with my eyes, stand on one leg, wasn't slurring my words. ALL of which was in the police report.

Well, to tell who hit who just check out a pic of the scene of the crash (im assuming head on or from the side?)
But, i guess what im trying to say is that from his standpoint it doesnt sound fair.

Too much effort. I don't really care. To be honest I disagreed with you only because I was offended by your overuse of smilies.

It was in the police report, dude. I was driving 30 mph in a 30 mph zone. He was doing 80 and rear ended me.

And as to how they knew how it affected me, I passed every field sobriety test. Walk a straight line, count backwards from 50, follow the light with my eyes, stand on one leg, wasn't slurring my words. ALL of which was in the police report.

Ok, In that case your punishment was slightly harsh.

Ok, In that case your punishment was slightly harsh.
Thanks for admitting it. And now to be fair, I'll admit I was a douchebag for getting behind the wheel in the first place! (but I'm a good looking douchebag!;) )

Too much effort. I don't really care. To be honest I disagreed with you only because I was offended by your overuse of smilies.
I'm gonna be honest myself.

I was pissed off at me too.

I almost kicked my ass.

It shall never happen again.

I'm gonna be honest myself.

I was pissed off at me too.

I almost kicked my ass.

It shall never happen again.

Heh. That is geting a link in my sig.

Heh. That is geting a link in my sig.
Awesome! The smiley police! ;)

Heh. That is geting a link in my sig.
:rolleyes:

I don't condone drunk drivers at all, but I have an interesting story I'd like to get some input on.

I'm on probation right now for a DUI. Two years ago, I was at the bar with my buddies, drinkin and having a good time. Wasn't really drunk,( I can drink a twelve pack with ease, and only had about 6 or 7 beers) and about an hour before I left, I switched to Pepsi. I felt stone sober when I left to go home. A mile from my house, I WAS HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER. My car was totaled, I was JUST over the legal limit (the same one that allows a light weight first time drinker to get toasted) and I got 30 days of house arrest, 2 years of probation and over 2k dollars in fines.

The drunk driver got the same, minus house arrest, because I got in trouble when I was a kid for "Drinking and driving while being under the age of 21" My blood alcohol level was about .014 (.08 is the legal limit for "of age" people)

Now I don't condone DUI behavior, but who thinks that that is fair?

6 or 7 beers over how long of a period of time? If you drank that much within 2 or 3 hours, you must weigh close to 300lbs to blow .014 an hour after quitting. Are you sure you don't mean .14%???

I hate drunk drivers. They are irresponsible and can possibly kill innocent people (including themselves) due to their stupidity.Completely agreed.

Also, if it was good enough for Bush and Ted Kennedy, then lets all have a mint julip and drive to the Moving Pictures.
The fuck? I remember a Johnny Wadd, be you the same?

The fuck? I remember a Johnny Wadd, be you the same?

Nope, just a big fan of NS' good ole Wadd. I hope he recovers from his Vietnam trauma.

You must be some kind of god...
People have noted the striking resemblance I have to Chuck Norris.

I trie to get out of driving as much as possible anyway, because I have a road rage issue. If I have had any alchohol at all, I don't drive, even if I am not drunk, your reaction time can be affected even before you are "drunk" I don't want to be the one who "only had a few drinks" and then mows down a family of 4.

Nope, just a big fan of NS' good ole Wadd. I hope he recovers from his Vietnam trauma.
Yeah sure. Every time you resurrect yourself you claim the same thing. And you are on perma-ban.

people who drink and drive, and kill someone while doing it should be shot. people who drink and drive, and get caught should never be allowed to drive again. they shouldn't get second chances when the people they hurt don't

6 or 7 beers over how long of a period of time? If you drank that much within 2 or 3 hours, you must weigh close to 300lbs to blow .014 an hour after quitting. Are you sure you don't mean .14%???
The .14 was in regards to the prior offence I spoke of when I was under 21

The DUI I got was .12

I got caught driving under the influence once. I blew a .16 coming out of Joe Pop's on Long Beach Island. Though I'd driven drunk before I haven't done so since. I'm more responsible now, and I'm not willing to go through all the fines, surcharges, lawyer bills and the revoked license thing.

Whenever the issue comes up on NationStates i always vote for execution of said criminal. I also done something really stupid a couple of weeks ago, i toked up before driving to a concert,BAD IDEA!! Never Again! I was lucky i wasn't pulled over. Driving stoned is as bad or worse as driving drunk for one simple reason, impaired judgement!