Trip Report - DUI

[JussiUt]

[ QUOTE ]
You're more of a threat than a .09 BAC level driver if you've ever done any of the following while driving:

1. Eat
2. Extremely tired while driving
3. Dialing a cell phone - waaaay more
4. Talking on a cell phone
5. Arguing with your spouse

[/ QUOTE ]

You're partially right but it's also complete BS. The fact that you're making generalizations as of any person who has a .09 BAC level isn't really drunk shows your level of thinking. That kind of alcohol level might not effect OP's driving skills but it sure as hell can effect small women's. Therefore the limit which is btw still a lot higher in the US than in most of Europe. The line has to be drawn somewhere.

Yes, it may seem harsh that OP who might very well be telling the truth received such a punishment. He probably was at least ok. But where do you want to draw a line? If it was 0.10 there would be still similar posts like this where some people cry how unfair it is not to be allowed to drive after that and that amount of alcohol "because I really could tell it wasn't effecting me at all". I wouldn't let the guy who's been drinking decide whether he's ok enough because we all know what great ideas we get while drunk or even after a few beers sometimes. A mistake can be costly.

I'm kind of suprised that it's so common to think that the "maximum BAC level" or whatever should be higher. Is it really that bad not just to drive? 0.08 pretty much still allows you to drink normally with lunch etc. Is this an American thing, to have to be able to get anywhere by car or is it something else?

[Jbrochu]

[ QUOTE ]
Sucking it up and owning up to what you did is the right play here. Take it from someone who put up a .08 on the breathalyzer himself.

[/ QUOTE ]

I admire you for saying this and for having the courage to admit you made a mistake and owning up to it. However, I believe your advice is bad.

The repercussions of a DUI on your driving or criminal record are pretty bad. Most employers now at a minimum pull a copy of your driving record when doing a premployment screen. Believe me, this can have a negative effect on your career growth for some time.

Sad as this sounds, the way the system works owning up to your mistake might be the worst mistake you make.

(You can still own up to it personally and make sure you don't do it again.)

[dozer]

There goes my $50 ...

[WhoIam]

Here's a common sense approach to DUI legislation: .08-.10 is a citation, .11-.15 is a misdemeanor, and above .15 is a felony. I think we can all agree that no one is in any shape to drive with a BAC of .15 or higher. Further, it should be obvious to the person drinking or anyone around him/her that driving is a terrible idea. No excuses for this behavior. At .11-.15, driving is certainly impaired and this should be illegal, but there's no reason to throw the book at these people or group them with the drunks driving with one eye open to avoid seeing double. No one wants to encourage people to drive with a BAC of .8-.10, but only the biggest neoprohibitionist MADD-type would argue that these people are a real threat. Give them a ticket for a few hundred bucks, but don't turn them into criminals.

[Bicycles_Biatch]

[ QUOTE ]
There goes my $50 ...

[/ QUOTE ]


Don't worry... if my sis get's the job... you'll get your $50

[Bicycles_Biatch]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's a common sense approach to DUI legislation: .08-.10 is a citation, .11-.15 is a misdemeanor, and above .15 is a felony. I think we can all agree that no one is in any shape to drive with a BAC of .15 or higher. Further, it should be obvious to the person drinking or anyone around him/her that driving is a terrible idea. No excuses for this behavior. At .11-.15, driving is certainly impaired and this should be illegal, but there's no reason to throw the book at these people or group them with the drunks driving with one eye open to avoid seeing double. No one wants to encourage people to drive with a BAC of .8-.10, but only the biggest neoprohibitionist MADD-type would argue that these people are a real threat. Give them a ticket for a few hundred bucks, but don't turn them into criminals.

[/ QUOTE ]

Best post so far, goes with my manner of thinking, and serves the interest of the public AND the walet of local law enforcement.

If I just had to pay in the neighborhood of $500-$1,000.... no biggie, on to the next 20-40 mixed game. However, we are talking about a potentially life altering event.

I'm thankful I'm not a teacher or some other such profession where this DUI could be a career killer.

[By-Tor]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Here's a common sense approach to DUI legislation: .08-.10 is a citation, .11-.15 is a misdemeanor, and above .15 is a felony. I think we can all agree that no one is in any shape to drive with a BAC of .15 or higher. Further, it should be obvious to the person drinking or anyone around him/her that driving is a terrible idea. No excuses for this behavior. At .11-.15, driving is certainly impaired and this should be illegal, but there's no reason to throw the book at these people or group them with the drunks driving with one eye open to avoid seeing double. No one wants to encourage people to drive with a BAC of .8-.10, but only the biggest neoprohibitionist MADD-type would argue that these people are a real threat. Give them a ticket for a few hundred bucks, but don't turn them into criminals.

[/ QUOTE ]

Best post so far, goes with my manner of thinking, and serves the interest of the public AND the walet of local law enforcement.

If I just had to pay in the neighborhood of $500-$1,000.... no biggie, on to the next 20-40 mixed game. However, we are talking about a potentially life altering event.

I'm thankful I'm not a teacher or some other such profession where this DUI could be a career killer.

[/ QUOTE ]


lol, this is getting funny and sadly lame.

Let's talk about the real potential problem with driving drunk...POSSIBLY KILLING SOMEONE.

So, if under this new line of thinking, if you are in a wreck and kill someone, should the penalty be less because "you aren't that drunk...just a little drunk..."

I'm pretty sure that the dead person is still just as dead.


[ QUOTE ]
If I just had to pay in the neighborhood of $500-$1,000.... no biggie

[/ QUOTE ]

lol, you will never understand.


Drunk driving laws are enacted to prevent accidents/deaths, not to fit into your definitions or lifestyle.

[JaBlue]

[ QUOTE ]


yes I'm serious... how is 0.07 vs 0.08 ANY different thatn 65 mph vs 68mph???

[/ QUOTE ]

.07 : .08
65 : 74

As for the rest of the thread, sounds like you got majorly shafted.

[Sluss]

The whole BAL is the real problem. Drunk driving should be determined by if you are impaired.

I have had 12 Beers in less than four hours blew over the legal limit. The police officer gave me every field test he could think of, I passed all of them. He even told me if he had not watched me drink 12 beers he would think I was sober. I felt fine and would have been okay to drive.

My wife has two drinks in three hours and she is impaired. She might not even be over the legal limit, but I know and she knows she should not be driving and she doesn't.

The insistence on an arbitrary number is what the problem is.

[Bicycles_Biatch]

[ QUOTE ]
lol, this is getting funny and sadly lame.


Let's talk about the real potential problem with driving drunk...POSSIBLY KILLING SOMEONE.


So, if under this new line of thinking, if you are in a wreck and kill someone, should the penalty be less because "you aren't that drunk...just a little drunk..."


I'm pretty sure that the dead person is still just as dead.


...Drunk driving laws are enacted to prevent accidents/deaths, not to fit into your definitions or lifestyle.




[/ QUOTE ]

Ok... so by this line of thinking... and by wanting to have preventative laws...

AND since you acknowledged that you are such a violent-rageful guy that you actually attempted to run a guy into a guard-rail with your car... your license should be suspended, your car impounded, and you should also go to jail... right???