Political Crossfire Forums

Just a question of ethics and responsibility.

Honestly, how many times do you think you drove drunk in your jurisdiction? For most US citizens, that blood-alcohol number will be around 0.08, even though states have pretty much moved to 0.06 if you are suspected of major traffic violations (which I think is total BS; just make it de jure).

I would say that there was a period of a few months after I became 21 that I probably drove drunk every week or so. I wasn't blitzed all of the time, but I was probably above a 0.08. In fact, while stunting as a designated driver a few weeks, I've concluded most people leaving bars are probably at a 0.06 or higher, which is why DUI/DWI convictions are such a money-maker. It seems to me our entire culture knows this, but it's all put under the table. Even older colleagues and bosses talk about visiting bars at a younger age and drinking until their liver gasped, and the question of how they exactly got home is never brought up.

I grew out of drinking a lot (although I do still get drunk occasionally and spend time at parties) when I started to experiment with recreational substances. I'm always amused at how alcohol truly impairs you compared to other drugs like opiates, benzos, etc. (when not mixed). It truly is one of the most debilitating substances in existence. Outside of psychedelics or dissociatives, I can't think of anything worse.

Also, what is your opinion about drunk driving compared to driving exhausted, texting while driving, balancing food on the steering wheel, etc.? Do you think, ethically, driving impaired is worse than any of the latter?

I think ive been more impaired on NyQuil hangovers then i have been from drinking. I have always been pretty responsible with the drinking (never been a fan of being blitzed) and probably only have drove impaired a few times. Often in those cases i was fine until the buzz kill of actually being in a moving vehicle notified me i probably shouldnt be driving.

The .08 line is bullshit, its set for maximum revenue generation to feed our for profit criminal justice system with fresh bodies. There maybe people that .08 is just to much, but most everyone can do just fine with a little buzz. I can only say most, because there are people that cant drive period. The latter are the people im more worried about on the roads.

On a side note, i know of a guy that was a DD and only had 1 Newcastle that night (i was there). He was however pouring shots and such and at one point there was some spillage and some Tequila got onto his shirt. Later that night there was a check point and he was hit with a DUi. The breathalyzer hit .08 on the nose, and we think he was singled out because the spilled tequila and the people riding with him tickled the officers nose. A good guy pretty much had his life f**k up for a while.

I don't buy for one second that those things are calibrated by cops. Poor guy. I'd refuse a field sobriety test and just have them take me in to do blood work. Then I'd bitch them out upon my release if I was under the limit.

I've never driven drunk in my entire life and I have no sympathy for drunk drivers. It's one of the most selfish activities a person can engage in.

I'm asking a legitimate question. You're reading too much into it. I don't have an opinion one way or another nor do I really care about the judgement of online connections.

To get a non-terse answer that actually addressed the OP, perhaps. Time for coffee.

I have always felt that drunk driving should be a factor in sentencing, and not a crime itself. If you commit manslaughter, you get charged. If you commit manslaughter, drunk and behind the wheel, you get charged for it, and your sentence is drastically increased, because you are culpable in your own negligence.

Further, those who get caught driving when they are reasonably incapacitated should be charged with reckless driving and criminal endangerment.

This allows the police to handle drunk driving in a reasonable way, while preventing the need for excessive and overly punitive drunk driving laws.