• Hi Guest - Sign up now for Secret Santa 2024!
    Click here to sign up!
  • Hi Guest - Come check out all of the new CP Merch Shop! Now you can support CigarPass buy purchasing hats, apparel, and more...
    Click here to visit! here...

The Danger of Drinking and Driving

As someone who lost his mother to a drunk driver, the answer seems pretty clear to me. What do you

  • Drunk drivers are dangerous to themselves and/or others

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • The danger attributed to drinking and driving is a popular myth

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
stevehawk

stevehawk

'Member? C'mon you 'member!
Joined
Nov 12, 2004
Messages
4,113
The answer seems very clear to me, but I may be a bit prejudiced on the topic considering how my mother was killed.

I know some may feel that "society has gone way too far with the whole drinking and driving thing" or that the dangers posed by drinking and driving are "a popular myth". Am I out of line by thinking that that type of thinking is just plain ignorant?

I'd be interested to know what you guys think?
 
I think it truly is a problem. More so in teenagers I feel though. Many teens are quick to get behind the wheel with their friends thinking it is cool. I will be honest, I used to do the same thing, however one day for no apparent reason it just clicked in my head that it just isn't worth it. I know my limits now and will not exceed them if I am driving, and if that means leaving the party early so be it.
 
stevehawk said:
The answer seems very clear to me, but I may be a bit prejudiced on the topic considering how my mother was killed.

I know some may feel that "society has gone way too far with the whole drinking and driving thing" or that the dangers posed by drinking and driving are "a popular myth". Am I out of line by thinking that that type of thinking is just plain ignorant?

I'd be interested to know what you guys think?
Click to expand...

That one is a 'duh'. I don't hold to any argument otherwise.
 
Sorry to hear that Steve.......

I do believe that the penalties associated with killing or injuring someone while DWI should be the same as if you fired a gun into a crowd of people....

It is inevitable that you will hit someone....
 
Not really sure how there someone could actually choose the 2nd option.

I agree that it is probably a larger problem in teens. They aren't "supposed" to drink, so when they do, they don't want to call home for a ride or explain why their car isn't at home the next morning if they got a ride. They feel it easy to just try and drive and not get caught.
 
Also thought I would add that I don't even think of getting on my bike unless I have had no more than one beer, and even then I wait about an hour before riding.
 
While I personally do not agree with a 0.00 BA limit due to the many non-drinking related things that can give you a trace on a breathalizer, I am of the firm opinion that drinking and driving is wrong.

In fact DUI / DWI regardless of drugs or alcohol should always be treated as a serious crime.
 
well, as a firefighter/EMT, working one of the busiest stations in our city (to include the heavy rescue rig with 'the jaws of life') I'm saying it's no myth. They are a danger to themselves, and every other driver on the road- as WELL as pedestrians, bicyclists, kids, dogs, cats, parked cars and houses. Because I've seen them all hit. It may not be EVERY drunk driver will have an accident, hurt or even kill someone. But they do... and it only takes one to ruin your life. Hell, we even had one drunk hit our fire engine returning from a call!

I have zero patience and tolerance on scenes for drunk or otherwise imparied drivers (drugs, either prescription or illegal... etc)... so much so I've been told to go sit in the engine. I had one where I was under the bumper of a car, working on a young girl trying to save her life. And the drunk AS***LE that hit her (she was walking on the OPPOSITE side of the road and ended up under the transmission) kept trying to drag me out from under the car so I could put a bandaid on his cut - the only thing he had from the crash. I about decked him! If it hadn't been for the police officer wrestling him to the ground and cuffing him I would have. Oh, and she died BTW. As did the two girlfriends walking with her.

So yes, "Drunk drivers are dangerous to themselves and/or others" and I'll argue the point till I'm blue in the face with anyone that thinks otherwise. and I'll try to arrange a week of riding on my company with me- that's all it will take to have a drunk driving related crash. I can even find some rather disturbing photos of crash scenes as well.

It's no myth...


edited PS: this might get to be a hot subject for a cigar forum, so...
 
Steve I can't answer your poll - you haven't given enough choices. It is flawed from the start...

Impaired is impaired. Unfortunately there are a lot of things that impair drivers - that is, lessen their ability to function properly when faced with a critical decision in driving. They include (but are not limited to):

1) Driving with a cell phone glued to your ear / Dialing a number.
2) Trying to dodge the bee stinging you
3) Falling asleep behind the wheel.
4) Taking prescription and non-prescription medications or NOT taking meds
5) Arguing with your spouse/kids/significant other/passenger/etc.
6) Changing a radio station / looking for a CD
7) Picking up your cigarette that fell on the floor.
8) Gawking at another accident/incident/police stop/etc.
9) Reading a newspaper
10) Applying eye makeup / Shaving
11) Trying to see what she'll do / showing off to friends...
12) Thinking that speed has nothing to do with being in an accident

etc., etc., etc.

Having been in the business of dealing with tragedies related to vehicle crashes for the last 27 years, and being a crash reconstructionist - I can personally assure you any and all of the above have had VERY tragic results. Drinking and driving is also a problem.

I sincerely think people nowadays don't take their role in driving as seriously as they should. At any one given time, especially when traveling in excess of about 30 miles per hour, a motorist is taking their life in their hands (and placing everyone else in their path at the same risk). Remember, in many cases, there is nothing separating you from oncoming traffic except the wind...

Yes - drinking and driving is a problem. But I personally think, based upon what I've seen, the danger that is far worse than drinking and driving is not taking the driving role as seriously as you should.
 
George pretty much covered it. I think cell phone usage is worse myself just due to the sheer volume of people doing it. ALL states should ban cell use while driving.
 
thanks for saying it all GEORGE! how anyone could justify driving impaired is beyond me. this from a guy who got away with his own share of stupidity! :(
 
Steve, sorry to hear that.

I'm curious as to why someone thinks it's a myth!!

George: great answer!! I'd like your opinion on something I asked later in this post. Please take the time to read and think about it.

Demon: I'm pretty well of the same thoughts. I old enough to know I'm not old enough to ride either of the bikes after ANY amount of alcohol. If I drink, I don't ride or drive.



Now, question for George, or any other LEOs out there:

Do you guys agree with the levels where you're considered impaired and the associated fines??

As an example, I knew two guys who were both nailed for DUI many years ago, and stood in front of the same judge with-in a month of each other. One guy blew 0.10% (limit was 0.08%) and got basically the same fine and suspension as the other guy who was inebriated and was probably driving because he was too friggin' drunk to walk. Now, I'm not trying to say that the guy who may have had 2 beer on an empty stomach shouldn't have gotten charged. The question is, should an honest mistake be treated the same as someone with an obvious lack of respect for the lives of other people and for the laws of our countries?

Just curious.

Jim
 
As the poll is stated, I voted yes, "drunk drivers are a danger to themselves and others." In addition, I think George hit the nail on the head...people just don't pay enough attention to driving. They don't take it seriously.
 
Newfie said:
Do you guys agree with the levels where you're considered impaired and the associated fines??

As an example, I knew two guys who were both nailed for DUI many years ago, and stood in front of the same judge with-in a month of each other. One guy blew 0.10% (limit was 0.08%) and got basically the same fine and suspension as the other guy who was inebriated and was probably driving because he was too friggin' drunk to walk. Now, I'm not trying to say that the guy who may have had 2 beer on an empty stomach shouldn't have gotten charged. The question is, should an honest mistake be treated the same as someone with an obvious lack of respect for the lives of other people and for the laws of our countries?
Click to expand...

Well, if this guy was asked to take a breathalizer test, I would assume he was showing clear signs of inebriation and therefor a danger to others. I wouldn't condemn him for driving at a .10 as I've lived in that glass house, however if he has relative low tolerance for alcohol, he has to know not to drive.

edit to clarify: Once you've crossed the line, everything should be treated with equal harshness. I wouldn't leave the judicial system room for leniency in any case.
 
I guess most of you know where I stand. Since Steve is my brother. And you are right GG your post hit the nail square on the head.

I am curious who voted the other way. If you voted the other way please explain yourself. I would love to hear your opinion.
 
CasaSoho said:
snip...Well, if this guy was asked to take a breathalizer test, I would assume he was showing clear signs of inebriation and therefor a danger to others....snip
Click to expand...

In this case, and knowing the guy and knowing it was about 7:00 PM, I believe the Officer may have stopped him because it was a borderline red light, or maybe speeding a little or something like that and smelled booze off him.



EDIT:



Please understand as stated previously, I'm not trying to justify the fact he had 2-3 beers just between work and dinner. I'd just like to hear other peoples opinions in a case like this.
 
ggiese said:
Steve I can't answer your poll - you haven't given enough choices. It is flawed from the start...

Impaired is impaired. Unfortunately there are a lot of things that impair drivers - that is, lessen their ability to function properly when faced with a critical decision in driving. They include (but are not limited to):

1) Driving with a cell phone glued to your ear / Dialing a number.
2) Trying to dodge the bee stinging you
3) Falling asleep behind the wheel.
4) Taking prescription and non-prescription medications or NOT taking meds
5) Arguing with your spouse/kids/significant other/passenger/etc.
6) Changing a radio station / looking for a CD
7) Picking up your cigarette that fell on the floor.
8) Gawking at another accident/incident/police stop/etc.
9) Reading a newspaper
10) Applying eye makeup / Shaving
11) Trying to see what she'll do / showing off to friends...
12) Thinking that speed has nothing to do with being in an accident

etc., etc., etc.

Having been in the business of dealing with tragedies related to vehicle crashes for the last 27 years, and being a crash reconstructionist - I can personally assure you any and all of the above have had VERY tragic results. Drinking and driving is also a problem.

I sincerely think people nowadays don't take their role in driving as seriously as they should. At any one given time, especially when traveling in excess of about 30 miles per hour, a motorist is taking their life in their hands (and placing everyone else in their path at the same risk). Remember, in many cases, there is nothing separating you from oncoming traffic except the wind...

Yes - drinking and driving is a problem. But I personally think, based upon what I've seen, the danger that is far worse than drinking and driving is not taking the driving role as seriously as you should.
Click to expand...

George, certainly the things you cited affect a person's ability to drive. We all see it every day and you don't have to be a crash reconstructionist to know that. But those items have nothing to do with the question that was posed.

Are you saying you cannot answer a straight up question about the danger of driving drunk? Where's the flaw? It's a danger or it isn't. It's a myth or it isn't. What "middle ground" do you propose?
 
Newfie said:
In this case, and knowing the guy and knowing it was about 7:00 PM, I believe the Officer may have stopped him because it was a borderline red light, or maybe speeding a little or something like that and smelled booze off him.
Click to expand...


I guess I have trouble understanding how someone could smell of alcohol at a .10 w/o being impaired. This is just IMHO, but someone leaving a family picnic or ballpark who may have had 2-3 beers and is registering a .10 shouldn't smell of booze.
 
....do you really expect someone to post and say "...oh no, it's FINE to drink and drive! Heck, I do it all the time...."...?? You say up front that your mind is made up, so....the point is...to stir up trouble?

IMHO - George's answer hit the nail on the head.

My $00.02 - B.B.S.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top