After Latest Deaths, Austin Asks: How Can We Stop Drunk Driving? (Dublin: taxi, income)

[scm53]

Originally Posted by petro

Providing overnight parking options, access to taxis, and public transportation is however a solution that will greatly reduce incidents of drinking and driving. This would be the city acting responsibly.

That's certainly a perspective. Another is, that is enabling antisocial behavior.

Look, reducing drunk driving is a worthwhile goal. But where does personal responsibility stop, and civic responsibility start? Serious question - not a "gotcha".

[Don in Austin]

Originally Posted by petro

Basically, yes. There needs to be options for these people. Calling them "irresponsible" is not actually a solution. Providing overnight parking options, access to taxis, and public transportation is however a solution that will greatly reduce incidents of drinking and driving. This would be the city acting responsibly.

Perhaps we should pay them not to drive drunk also?

Drunk drivers ARE irresponsible. Is it wrong to call something exactly what it is?

There is an option for 'these people:" Don't put yourself in the position where you feel you have to drive drunk. Nobody HAS to go get drunk on 6th street -- it is a choice.

Don in Austin

[petro]

Are you not aware that the City of Austin shuts down an entire portion of the downtown area every weekend for a drunken freefrall? We're here to discuss solutions. There is a drinking and driving problem in Austin, whether you want to acknowledge it or not. And there are lessons to be learned from larger cities.

This isn't just about punishing drunk drivers, it's about protecting innocent people who fall victim to drunk drivers. So, you can choose to bury your head in the sand and say, "Nobody HAS to go get drunk on 6th street -- it is a choice." Or, you can acknowledge the fact that people go downtown to drink and have an adult conversation about the steps the Austin community can take to mitigate the risk of drunk driving accidents.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by petro

Are you not aware that the City of Austin shuts down an entire portion of the downtown area every weekend for a drunken freefrall? We're here to discuss solutions. There is a drinking and driving problem in Austin, whether you want to acknowledge it or not. And there are lessons to be learned from larger cities.

This isn't just about punishing drunk drivers, it's about protecting innocent people who fall victim to drunk drivers. So, you can choose to bury your head in the sand and say, "Nobody HAS to go get drunk on 6th street -- it is a choice." Or, you can acknowledge the fact that people go downtown to drink and have an adult conversation about the steps the Austin community can take to mitigate the risk of drunk driving accidents.

My adult conversation increases the ramifications/consequences of DUI to the levels of other countries - huge fines, bye bye driving. It is a privilege not a right to operate a motor vehicle. The drinking and driving problem should be placed firmly back in the laps of those cretins who commit the acts.

I don't give two craps if the city puts out free kegs and beer bongs. No one is forced to partake. I am not interested in throwing my arms up in resignation because "bad behavior is just going to exist so we should just roll over and put up with it."

[petro]

Originally Posted by stan4

My adult conversation increases the ramifications/consequences of DUI to the levels of other countries - huge fines, bye bye driving. It is a privilege not a right to operate a motor vehicle. The drinking and driving problem should be placed firmly back in the laps of those cretins who commit the acts.

I don't give two craps if the city puts out free kegs and beer bongs. No one is forced to partake. I am not interested in throwing my arms up in resignation because "bad behavior is just going to exist so we should just roll over and put up with it."

Unfortunately, increasing DUI penalties doesn't do anything to protect innocent people from drunk drivers. And that's what we're talking about here. So, how about you allow others to discuss improvements that can be made to reduce instances of drunk driving.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by petro

Unfortunately, increasing DUI penalties doesn't do anything to protect innocent people from drunk drivers. And that's what we're talking about here. So, how about you allow others to discuss improvements that can be made to reduce instances of drunk driving.

Do some research.
Countries (first world) with harsher laws have up to 66% fewer fatal accidents involving alcohol.

Hard to assign causation, but they are also the same countries I have visited where the local seemed aghast at the idea of DUI, while it is a big joke here and "everybody does it."

[petro]

Originally Posted by stan4

Do some research.
Countries (first world) with harsher laws have up to 66% fewer fatal accidents involving alcohol.

Nice job picking a completely arbitrary percentage out of the air. I'm not sure how you came up with it, but it's certainly not based on Austin data, which is what we are talking about today.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by petro

Nice job picking a completely arbitrary percentage out of the air. I'm not sure how you came up with it, but it's certainly not based on Austin data, which is what we are talking about today.

It is actually lower than 66%. Texas drunk driving death rate is .718/10,000 people. Germany has strict laws, and their rate is .0731/10,000 people - almost 90% lower.

[petro]

Originally Posted by scm53

It is actually lower than 66%. Texas drunk driving death rate is .718/10,000 people. Germany has strict laws, and their rate is .0731/10,000 people - almost 90% lower.

Germany also has an amazing public transportation system, overnight parking options, and a robust taxi system. I know, because I've lived there. And that is exactly what Austin needs if we are going to reduce instances of drinking and driving. So, thanks for proving my point.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by petro

Germany also has an amazing public transportation system, overnight parking options, and a robust taxi system. I know, because I've lived there. And that is exactly what Austin needs if we are going to reduce instances of drinking and driving. So, thanks for proving my point.

I've lived there as well. And while public drunkenness is common, the Germans would NEVER think about climbing behind the wheel of a car drunk. There may be great transportation systems in the cities - not so much in the country. But there is no difference in the attitudes - because the laws are the constant. Trust me on this, because I lived in both.

Didn't prove your point as much as you think.