Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: $Revision: 1.6.2.16 $; site pbear.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!cca!pbear!peterb From: peterb@pbear.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: Re: DWI Crackdowns Message-ID: <6700025@pbear.UUCP> Date: Tue, 23-Jul-85 01:49:00 EDT Article-I.D.: pbear.6700025 Posted: Tue Jul 23 01:49:00 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 20-Aug-85 00:05:33 EDT References: <378@kontron.UUCP> Lines: 69 Nf-ID: #R:kontron:-37800:pbear:6700025:000:3519 Nf-From: pbear!peterb Jul 23 01:49:00 1985 The following is stated without belief in either side of the issue: Being a convicted first offense drunk-driver here in MA, I can state FOR THE RECORD that all of you're plans won't make a dent in stopping the rampant problem of drunken driving. First people have to realize that drunken driving is not a social problem, it it a disease like venerial disease. No one wants to talk about it, but everyone will admit it exists. Here in MA every 12 MINUTES a person is arrested for OUI(Operating Under the Influence). That's 5 every hour, 140 per day, and 38000 per year! And this is just in the STATE of MA. I'd love to see qhat it is like in the US. I am not condoning the activity of drinking and driving, and I am not saying it is bad or good; what I am saying is that it is something that has to be reckoned with. Especially since soon(at this rate) we(the drunken driver's) will become the majority and decide what to sentence you the un-drunk driver with. Do me a favor, get off your high horses and do some serious thinking. Don't condemn a person without knowing the facts. Think of the extent of the impact your idea may have on them(and yourself!). I think the sentences here in MA are quite nasty by themself. For a first offense(with no extensions such as accident/moving violations), the sentence I recieved is: 150$ fine, 30 day AUTOMATIC suspension (90 day if I refuse a breathalyzer test), 480$ enrollment charge for MA's Alcohol enrollment course, and 1 YEAR's probation. This sits on my record for 7 years. Then it is expunged. I would like to hear from other offenders out there on the net. Anybody want to drop me a note regarding DWI??? I am open to flames/notes. If you start riding your high horse, don't; I'm not in the mood. I'll pull out a flamethrower and burn it out from under you. Sentencing a drunk driver to riding a motorcycle is not smart. I have a license for both, and I can tell you that you gotta be sober to drive a bike. I got picked off in a car, but if I had to drive a bike, I would not have had those last few beers. But don't construe that as a deterent. If a person was impaired and had his choice, he'd choose the car each time since his life would be safer and his chances would be better. But if forced, then more people would die needless deaths. If you think this is good since it removes another drunk from the road, think about it; you're bringing yourself down to the level of Hitler in that you are expunging a bad attribute from the "race". Also since a motorcycle can travel FAR faster than the speed limit, and can kill far more than a car would... A FJ1100 by Yamaha can truck along at about 150 mph, and weighs about 790 pounds(depending on accessories). With the formula of 1/2 M V^2, it would have about the same impact as a car that weighed 7110 pounds travelling at 50 mph. This is about twice the impact of a standard car of this year's make at the same speed. It's not just the weight of the vehicle, but the speed is relavant also. Until people properly address the problem, I think that the sentences imposed are proper and fair. There can be improvements, but that takes time, and it is being covered and corrected. I am open to ideas regarding public awareness of the issue and ideas to preventive/corrective measures. Peter Barada {ihnp4!inmet|{harvard|cca}!ima}!pbear!peterb Ps - If you're gonna flame, take the time to pull the pin from the grenade since someone else will pull it for you and send it back...