If you drink and drive you are an asshole

[iceminers26]

Sad story and not debating that drunk driving is a major problem in our country but they need to fix how they sentence. If you are over .08 you are screwed regardless and will get convicted of DUI.

EX:

A labor worker from the mills meets his buddies after work at lets say 4 PM, has 2 beers in say 20 mins after a long day of work, and heads home for supper with his wife and kids.... he gets pulled over and blows a .08, cop follows the rules to a T and arrests him for DUI, guy loses his license for 6 months and racks up say 3k in fines... since he doesn't have a license, the company decided they have to let him go and fires him.... now not only is he affected but his family too, all because he grabbed a few quick beers after work.

Another guy is out all night and throwing them back at a good rate, decides to jump in his truck when the bar closes and gets pulled over, blows a .30. He too loses his license for say 6 months and racks up 5k in fines as opposed to say 3k in the previous guy's case. The only difference as per sentencing is the monetary difference because of BAC level, but both receive identical punishments as per driving priviliges.


In this case an accident was caused and the punishment should be stiff and harsh but you guys that say anyone arrested for DUI (without an accident caused) should lose license for 10 years or have inter ignition lock or whatever its called are nuts. Plus I think everyone has gotten behind the wheel at least once in their lifetime when they shouldn't have, if you haven't, praise to you.

[stevenash]

Lost his license for 6 months.

Should have been a year.

[philswin]

hey Dante - got 3 teenage drivers in the house that drive on 309 so this stuff really hits home. 20 years minimum for this guy

[topgame85]

hey Dante - got 3 teenage drivers in the house that drive on 309 so this stuff really hits home. 20 years minimum for this guy

And when one of them has to much too drink one night and takes someone else out 20 years for them I suppose as well? Highly doubt you would think thats fair, its like the movie scarface everyone is quick to point the finger at "the bad guy" just because you have not been busted for it ever or affected does not make them perect most people have made the bad choice on several occasions themselves. Our justice system is a complete joke there are tons of people who have killed several people in cold cruel blood and get 10-15 with plea bargains and rapists who serve 4-8 and then people with no criminal intent get 20+ there has to be some type of equality.

[philswin]

And when one of them has to much too drink one night and takes someone else out 20 years for them I suppose as well? Highly doubt you would think thats fair, its like the movie scarface everyone is quick to point the finger at "the bad guy" just because you have not been busted for it ever or affected does not make them perect most people have made the bad choice on several occasions themselves. Our justice system is a complete joke there are tons of people who have killed several people in cold cruel blood and get 10-15 with plea bargains and rapists who serve 4-8.

We are talking about a 4th offense, almost 3 times the legal limit, going 23 MPH over the speed limit, and blowing through a red light.

[tripas for lunch]

You must mean 3 to 6 for fourth offense which included horrible physical harm to two innocent people. I agree that is extremely ridiculous.

I mean people 's lives being ruined for listening to their car radio in their own driveway and getting a DUI when they had no intention of ever driving. And this happens because emotional reactions to events like this that leads to illogical decisions.

Drunk drivers will continue to do harm. Non- drunk drivers will do harm. 99.9999 percent of drunk driving incidents aren't represented by some maniacal freaks speeding and swerving all over the road. They will arrive home safely doing no harm. In fact, police are taught to look for people driving TOO carefully as a sign of drunk driving.

Not saying they shouldn't be punished, but common sense is due.

Dangerous drunk driving ain't a good thing, but I'm waiting for the sheeple to realize that its gone beyond punishing drunk driving to shearing wallets to shreds. Just another indirect tax scam... probably safer to commit a felony than get caught misdemeanor DUI.

[dante1]

hey Dante - got 3 teenage drivers in the house that drive on 309 so this stuff really hits home. 20 years minimum for this guy

Yep, how anyone can argue this issue is way beyond me. I believe they believe, there for the grace of God... Shouldn't have that mind set. Those that believe if you don't injure or destroy property your punishment should be less severe only allow the offender to think I got away with it once I can again and then tragedy. I am not saying first offender should be locked away forever but the punishment should be severe enough to give the offender second and third thoughts about repeating. And the second offender should receiver serious jail time and serious counseling. Something must be done about this problem. These assholes that are serial offenders will eventually hurt someone. And this is not knee jerk emotional nonsense.

[crustyme]

choosing to impair your senses and reflexes before getting in your car is intent.

no different than some punk bringing a loaded gun to school and it going off in his backpack killing someone.

[horseexpert]

All u ever hear are the horror stories. Hundreds of thousands of people drink and drive everyday and do not kill people. The dui laws were made for extra revenue. Not to save lives. The government just justifies it with the latter.

[B1GER1C828]

ive been in way tooooo many cars where the driver was drunk/hammered. None recently but high school was a mess.

[dante1]

And when one of them has to much too drink one night and takes someone else out 20 years for them I suppose as well? Highly doubt you would think thats fair, its like the movie scarface everyone is quick to point the finger at "the bad guy" just because you have not been busted for it ever or affected does not make them perect most people have made the bad choice on several occasions themselves. Our justice system is a complete joke there are tons of people who have killed several people in cold cruel blood and get 10-15 with plea bargains and rapists who serve 4-8 and then people with no criminal intent get 20+ there has to be some type of equality.

I can't argue this and won't. I can live with equal punishment under the law for
DUI but don't think that will happen for a long time. This is state jurisdiction and of course there are cases of inequality in sentencing but way too often those inequalities favor the offender. That just ain't right. We don't disagree in substance, I think.

[dante1]

All u ever hear are the horror stories. Hundreds of thousands of people drink and drive everyday and do not kill people. The dui laws were made for extra revenue. Not to save lives. The government just justifies it with the latter.

How about this thought process? Amazing isn't it?

[topgame85]

We are talking about a 4th offense, almost 3 times the legal limit, going 23 MPH over the speed limit, and blowing through a red light.

Which both probably have to do with the 3 times over the limit thing and the fourth offense having to do with a serious alcoholic tendency. Not to excuse the guy but if the states got serious they would attempt to fix the real problem even if it meant a drstic decline in alcohol sales and dui fines. Eliminate dui's for people not actually operating the vehicle. Raise the legal BAC to a reasonable level of say .12 anyone over a .12 dui is automatically required to get a breathylizer in the car to keep their license and must maintain it for 1 year on a first offense and to be placed on probation no jail time. If they maipulate the breathlyzer to drive drunk automatic felony charge. after the 1 year back to normal if they get a 2nd dui they are ordered to maintain a breathlyzer in their car indefinitley to hold a license. As usual maipulation of it is a felony. Max of one month in jail, alcohol treatment and placement in state wide alcohol no sell database for 3 years. 3rd offense should never occur as they have a breathlyzer if it does they are automatically guilty of a felony and do hard time. After three years they can purchase alcohol but if they ever get the third permanent no sell alcohol list status.

[philswin]

I do believe the min should be raised from .08 to .10 For drivers over 21 and first offenders should be given some leniency. Judges do take into consideration your blood alcohol content along with your demonstrated driving ability when sentencing. But after 3 offenses this guy should not have a license and when reckless driving is involved the sentence should be way more severe. This guy will be on the road again in as early as 3 years from now, that just is not right.

[dstover13]

It' simple. Make every autombile sold in Amercica with an interlocking device

[philswin]

Which both probably have to do with the 3 times over the limit thing and the fourth offense having to do with a serious alcoholic tendency. Not to excuse the guy but if the states got serious they would attempt to fix the real problem even if it meant a drstic decline in alcohol sales and dui fines. Eliminate dui's for people not actually operating the vehicle. Raise the legal BAC to a reasonable level of say .12 anyone over a .12 dui is automatically required to get a breathylizer in the car to keep their license and must maintain it for 1 year on a first offense and to be placed on probation no jail time. If they maipulate the breathlyzer to drive drunk automatic felony charge. after the 1 year back to normal if they get a 2nd dui they are ordered to maintain a breathlyzer in their car indefinitley to hold a license. As usual maipulation of it is a felony. Max of one month in jail, alcohol treatment and placement in state wide alcohol no sell database for 3 years. 3rd offense should never occur as they have a breathlyzer if it does they are automatically guilty of a felony and do hard time. After three years they can purchase alcohol but if they ever get the third permanent no sell alcohol list status.

Didnt see your post before posting mine yes I agree with most of what you are saying a 4th offense should never be allowed to occur and anyone driving recklessly on top of alcohol should be dealt with in more severe terms. But keep in mind if you decide to take the risk to drive drunk you have to take responsibility if you injure or kill someone.

[topgame85]

choosing to impair your senses and reflexes before getting in your car is intent.

no different than some punk bringing a loaded gun to school and it going off in his backpack killing someone.

Common response from people who do not understand that alcoholism may be the largest social problem in the country today. The alcohol companies have bred us to use alcohol to believe it is all fun and games from childhood, the state alows and promote its sale and oversale and takes the profits from it so they can balance their budgets that are far over extended. We are taught college is more about partying and drinking than school work then there is shock and awe when people get drunk or become alcoholics or operate a car under the influence. It is all a big game to the states and a profit monster for companies and governments. Then they put on the tough face when someone gets busted so they can justify the money they make off the sales. As someone who has experienced it personally and heard innumerbale stories from others quite often the person had 0 intention of driving until they were smashed. And at the point they are smashed their response to emotion and logical thought is so hindered they make a horrible stupid mistake and drive. Half the time not even knowing why or realizing their level of impairment. Its an age old story and the people who profit from it at the highest level (the state) should be responsible for its safe use no different than not selling guns to felons or letting bars being sued for overserving. A simple no sell list and better treatment would be a huge step forward however it would lower their profits so that will never happen.

[topgame85]

Didnt see your post before posting mine yes I agree with most of what you are saying a 4th offense should never be allowed to occur and anyone driving recklessly on top of alcohol should be dealt with in more severe terms. But keep in mind if you decide to take the risk to drive drunk you have to take responsibility if you injure or kill someone.

Absolutely agree, the underlying issue really is some people should not drink at all and that is the real issue and when they choose to they should be punished. In addition though at some point steps should be taken to make it near impossible or at least a pain in the ass for them to get ahold of the product. The jail time and fines are not a deterrent for those who would commit crime as seen with all crimes with huge reoffending percentages. You have to treat the underlying problem more than "punish" the outward one. People treated like criminals become used to jail and it becomes a way of life and no threat and will just continue to drink and drink and drive.

[crustyme]

i grew up in the same environment and do not drink smoke or do drugs.

and to blame companies for your own poor choices is a cop out.

there are millions of people who are responsible drinkers and take precautions so they dont drive and run over a pedastrian. if they choose not to take the same precautions then they chose to accept the risks which is proof enough of intent.

sure alcoholism is a disease yet a treatable one. there are many alcoholics who have gotten help and no longer drink. if you choose not to seek help and run over a group of kids, you need to goto prison just like everyone else.

[chilidog]

I wonder when the day will when you can be arrested for OWNING a car and having liquor in your house.

You probably think I'm kidding.

Well, just in the instance where the person was in a jeep on the side of a highway and was guilty of DUI, I do understand. Mainly because, how did the jeep get there in the first place? It's not like he drove to a bar, and decided to sleep it off in the bar parking lot. I completely understand that one, and nobody should get DUI for that one. But I would assume that the officer's thinking was that if the person was drunk to begin with, and the jeep was pulled over on the side of the highway, then the jeep had been driven while intoxicated.

[Richkas]

Plus I think everyone has gotten behind the wheel at least once in their lifetime when they shouldn't have, if you haven't, praise to you.

my point exactly. But the geek squad thinks your a asshole. Phuck it. If I do the crime, I'll do my time. I dont care about anybody except my loved ones. And if you guys dont like it go phuck yourself.

[shaggy3000]

ok ill say it...

Dante youre a ******* retard! youre going to jump on here and say shit about drunk drivers. you clearly are dumb as shit. there isnt a person on here that hasnt driven drunk at one time or another. its very easy to blow a .08 ( you dont even have to be drinking to blow a .08 and i know of court cases that prove that ) but if youve ever have been over at a friends place and had a few beers during the game or at dinner you've driven drunk. and ive said it on here before that its bad drivers that wreck not drunk ones. there are more wrecks in the morning, afternoon, and evening than there are at night when the "drunks" are out driving. the only difference is that every time a drunk person gets in a wreck it makes every form of news there is. if you really want to make the streets safer make the driving test harder and make it so you have to take the test more often.

and if you really want to make it safe on the streets then just make the law anything that impedes your driving subject to the same stiff punishment. ( drinking, texting, putting on makeup, eating, talking on the phone, or anything that distracts you )

the old DUI classes said the average drunk driver drives 500 times drunk before getting caught. doesnt seem like they are driving that poorly if it takes so many times to get busted

[dante1]

[quote=shaggy3000;8855605]ok ill say it...

Dante youre a ******* retard! youre going to jump on here and say shit about drunk drivers. you clearly are dumb as shit. there isnt a person on here that hasnt driven drunk at one time or another. its very easy to blow a .08 ( you dont even have to be drinking to blow a .08 and i know of court cases that prove that ) but if youve ever have been over at a friends place and had a few beers during the game or at dinner you've driven drunk. and ive said it on here before that its bad drivers that wreck not drunk ones. there are more wrecks in the morning, afternoon, and evening than there are at night when the "drunks" are out driving. the only difference is that every time a drunk person gets in a wreck it makes every form of news there is. if you really want to make the streets safer make the driving test harder and make it so you have to take the test more often.



I'm a retard, you fvckin asshole. I have more credits than you have brain cells and more advanced degrees than you have teeth. Any person that argues against the danger of drinking and driving has an IQ lower than a slug.

Do a google and learn something your dullard, learn the incredible number of lives that are ruined because of this plague. Only an inbred like you can find an excuse to do this stupidity. Continue and you will hurt somebody, the irony of this is assholes like you walk away. Hope and pray somebody like myself isn't on the jury, you fvckin stupid twat.

[shaggy3000]

dont worry bud i wont be the one walking away because you are still in control while under the influence. and im not concerned about who is on the jury. when you get all forms of evidence thrown out its pretty tough to find someone guilty. just ask the state of georgia... and just so you know alcohol related deaths in wrecks has dropped 35% from 82' to 05' in that same time non-alcohol related deaths have increased 53% and according to the most recent info that i can find alcohol is found in 35% of all fatal wrecks. that doesnt separate drunks from non drunks that died. so since a third of the fatal wrecks involve alcohol it continues to back up my statement that bad drivers cause wrecks not drunk ones.

im not saying o lets all go drinking and jump behind the wheel. but to sit there and think that when you drink you automatically start driving like the actors in the DUI commercials shows how naive you really are. and to believe that you have never driven drunk is very very hard to believe if you have never personally blown into a breath test to see how easy it is to fail.

[shaggy3000]

double post

[onetrickpony]

if u drink and drive and u cant handle ur shit then ur an asshole

i drink n drive who da fuk is gonna pay for a fukin cab?

get real

[emoney]

Why does everyone blame the alcohol? Who is to say these clowns wouldn't still get in a wreck even if they weren't drunk? Maybe they are just bad drivers.

[Richkas]

finally somebody is on the drinkers side. Bad drivers cause the fatal wrecks. Ive drove for 48 years so drunk I have to close one eye because I'm seeing double. And never once have I had a wreck. Its the people who cant drive to begin with that give drunk drivers a bad name.

[Richkas]

Also I wanted to say, Dante, I'm sorry somebody you knew was crushed by a drunk driver. That has to be tough. I can see why your bitter. But anybody who drinks at one time or another has driven when they shouldnt have. And to say they are assholes is out of line. Not everybody can afford a cab. But people need to be able to go out and unwind and have some fun every now and then. If the government really cared about saving lives they would close all bars because 80% of the people in there are driving home.

Once again I am sorry to hear about your loss.

[MendozaLine]

I drink and drive all of the time. I don't get drunk and drive, but I'll have 3 or 4 beers at a friends and drive back home. Not a big deal.

[frostno98]

Many people can drive buzz drinking 6-8 beers within 3 hours. Not many can drive drunk, drinking 10 or more within the same amount of time frame. This assuming you don't weight more than 230 pounds, because heavy people can absorb more alcohol.

[kiefynugs]

I was drunk for my only wreck and this stupid mother f**ker backed right into me dead sober. I say the sober drivers are assholes

[stevenash]

I don't get drunk and drive, but I'll have 3 or 4 beers at a friends and drive back home. Not a big deal.

Let's see how not a big deal it is if you accidentally tap the rear bumper of an off duty cop while cruising to a stop at a stop sign, and you blow a barely over the legal limit 0.82.

That off duty cop that just got out of his car to make sure his bumper is OK, is not going to be in the mood to cut you a break.

Let's see how far that "but officer, I only had three beers, I'm fine" speech goes.

It'll go alright, go all the way a holding cell while you wait 18-36 hours for your g/f, wife to bail you out, and once out of bail, the fun is just starting, hiring that defense attorney and clearing room on your calendar for court dates is more fun than a barrel of monkies.

[dante1]

Many people can drive buzz drinking 6-8 beers within 3 hours. Not many can drive drunk, drinking 10 or more within the same amount of time frame. This assuming you don't weight more than 230 pounds, because heavy people can absorb more alcohol.

There is an add blitz, at least in PA, right now that claims buzzed driving is drunk driving. I don't know the facts, but I do know that impairment is impairment. Let me say this if you hurt someone I love and you are impaired from drink I make no distinction.

I am afraid some of you object because you do not want to give up your two or three drinks and still drive. You are kidding yourself into thinking that your driving decisions are just as valid as completely sober driving. Ask your self this question, if your wife or child or loved one was hurt by a slightly impaired driver what would you think. I would be very angry, especially if he has the attitude of some of you guys.

[5teamparlay]

http://fox8.com/2012/05/09/10-years-in-prison-for-tallmadge-man-guilty-of-19th-dui/?hpt=ju_bn5

10 Years in Prison for Tallmadge Man Guilty of 19th DUI

Posted on: 5:40 pm, May 9, 2012, by Dan Jovic, updated on: 05:46pm, May 9, 2012

A Tallmadge man was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Judge Lynne Callahan on Wednesday after being found guilty of his 19th DUI last month.
Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh announced that Callahan imposed the maximum sentence against 48-year-old George T. Greer.
Greer was arrested on January 2, 2012 when a passerby spotted him passed out in the driver’s seat of a car that had just slammed into a pole.
The passerby called 911 and while on the phone with police woke Greer.
The individual then attempted to shut off the vehicle. Greer wouldn’t allow the passerby to turn off the car and drove away. The individual followed Greer to a nearby church parking lot where police caught up with him.
Greer refused all field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer. He was placed under arrest. A forced blood draw showed Greer’s blood alcohol content to be .215.
The jury found Greer guilty of numerous charges on April 5th, including two counts of OVI, a felony of the third degree, with specifications for having five DUI’s in 20 years.