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Path: utzoo!utcsri!west
From: west@utcsri.UUCP (Thomas L. West)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Re: Re: Survey: Six Pack as unit of meas
Message-ID: <859@utcsri.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 10-Mar-85 21:47:21 EST
Article-I.D.: utcsri.859
Posted: Sun Mar 10 21:47:21 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 10-Mar-85 22:15:48 EST
References: <85@pbear.UUCP> <8314@watarts.UUCP>
Reply-To: west@utcsri.UUCP (Thomas L. West)
Organization: CSRI, University of Toronto
Lines: 31
Summary: 

>> 	Yes, I plead the fifth to drinking and driving, but the problem is
>> what is the definition of "drinking". Is the a glass of wine, a shot of
>> tequila, a six pack, a case ??? Where do you draw the line ??? I have
>> consumed a few beers and have driven, all without any ill side effects.
                                         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 Yet.

The legal dividing line (in Ontario, anyway) is .08%.  On the other hand, you
can be charged with impaired driving with any level of alcahol if you show
signs of impairment (logical enough).  The moral dividing line is much simpler.
Zero.  As in none at all.  If you wish to put your life, and much more 
importantly, the life of possible victims on the line by decreasing your
driving abilities with alcahol or other substances, then you are certainly
being completely irresponsible. 

   I hope that your drinking and driving days are long over.  However, I am
still rather frightened to find that the attitude towards drinking and driving
isn't complete condemnation.  Perhaps the attitude in the States is a little
more relaxed.

   I sincerely believe that the penalty for impaired driving should be loss of
licence for at least 5 years.  Those whose livelihood depends on driving are
the ones who should know how dangerous it is.  There are no mitigating
circumstances.  They survive well enough in parts of Europe where the legal
limit *is* 0%, why can't we?

   As an aside, the figure that I once heard was that alcahol was involved
in 50% of all fatal accidents.  Any confirmation on that figure?

   Tom West
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