Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site SCIRTP.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!genrad!decvax!mcnc!rti-sel!SCIRTP!todd From: todd@SCIRTP.UUCP (Todd Jones) Newsgroups: net.flame,net.politics,net.legal,net.auto Subject: DWI Crackdowns Message-ID: <202@SCIRTP.UUCP> Date: Fri, 5-Jul-85 14:09:55 EDT Article-I.D.: SCIRTP.202 Posted: Fri Jul 5 14:09:55 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 7-Jul-85 06:13:16 EDT Distribution: net Organization: SCI Systems, Research Triangle Park, NC Lines: 83 Xref: watmath net.flame:11017 net.politics:9797 net.legal:1816 net.auto:7267 Hey, I am as concerned as the next guy about the problem of drunk drivers, recidivism, teenagers and the like, but I am getting fed up with some of the misguided attempts at curbing the problem, such as: 1. Incessant roadblocks/random breathalyzer tests. I feel truly hassled by this kind of treat- ment. I usually don't have the time to waste and I feel it invades my privacy. 2. No Happy Hours. How unamerican, uncapitalistic, uncalled for and unfair! This simply denies an oppor- tunity to get polluted for those who can't afford it. The wealthy never patronize happy hour establishments anyway. I did, however, get a good laugh at the response of Boston's bars to the happy hour ban: have happy hour all the time! 3. Hold bartenders and waitpersons responsible for the damage performed by the drunk. This is so ridiculous! Now we're telling drunks they're not responsible for their actions, their bartender is! Awareness among liqour-servers does need to be stressed, but this measure has got to be as ineffective as it is discriminatory. So Todd, what are your solutions? Rent (expensively) first offenders the following equipment: 1. a device that is attatched to the ignition system that requires an alcohol free breath reading (in addition to the presence of gases present in human breath, to avoid faking it) to allow the car to be started. 2. a big ugly day-glo bumbersticker declaring the driver to be a DWI offender on probation. The offender would not be allowed to drive a car other than the one designated with the bumpersticker. The offender would carry a special driver's license declaring his status. The offender could be stopped any time for a random breathalyzer check. The device could not be tampered with or big legal whoopass would result. After a designated period of time, the offenders would complete their probationary period and regain all their regular driving priviledges. Boy am I gonna get flamed! Before the flame-throwers go on high, remember, this system is much less harsh on non-offenders and more ostracizing for offenders. Drunk drivers are held accountable for their actions and have to continually prove their sobriety in order to drive. This system is not a "big-brotherish" as it seems when you consider that all citizens in vehicles have reduced rights. This system would reduce the rights (for a temporary period) of offending drivers. FLAME ON FELLOW NETTERS: Note: I'm going on vacation for the next week, so mull over your ideology assassinations and post them in the middle of next week (the week of July 8) so I can defend my insanity, please. The preceding opinions are, in all likelihood, those of Todd Jones. However, these opinions will, in all certainty, bear scant resemblance to the opinions of SCI Systems, Inc., Mr. Jones' employer. ||||| || || [ O-O ] Todd Jones \ ^ / {decvax,akgua}!mcnc!rti-sel!scirtp!todd | _ | |___|