[MittenDweller82]

Happend to be thinking the other day about how many people are arrested on a average night for DUI, each one of them recieves 1200 in fines (avg. statewide for court), 2000 "driver responsability" among other costs in probation and therapy. Now, aside from the morality of this issue, Michigan is one of the ONLY states that has such high costs. Ofcourse, it is wrong to drink and drive and those who do it should be punished. But many who do are not kill or are really that drunk. Many police wait outside of bars. Not only are these fines a good way to impoversh more people and potentially make them loose their jobs, but where the hell is the money going? Mind you, michigan has one of the highest drinking/driving rates in the U.S., and one of the highest ratios of people driving on suspended licsence. Many people dont realize the magnatude of this issue, and some believe it to be bigger than our economic mess.

[Frankawitz]

There was a articles(Sunday Free Press03/25/2007) about two State Reps both Democrats that have been driving on suspended licenses for sometime on. also the guy from Highland Park is an ex convict who did time for armed robbery. The thing with DUI and suspended licenses is it's all a MONEY GAME! my girlfriend had her driver's license suspended for Medical reason(Epilipsy) at this time it will cost her $1,750.00 to reinstate her license. the kicker is she can't get a job because of her Epilipsy and the State won't even give her a chance to get this all cleared up.

[Angel Bear]

I guess I feel differently about the laws since a) I don't ever drink and drive. Actually, I don't really drink. b) I was seriously injured in two accidents in which the other driver was seriously over the legal blood alcohol level. c) The injuries I had still affect me today, but at least they helped me find yoga

I just don't think there's any reason to drink and drive. I really don't understand why people can't call for a ride or take a taxi. If you can afford to buy a lot of drinks in a bar, then, you can afford a cab. This makes more sense than putting other people's lives and health in danger.

Sorry to sound so militant, but until you've been affected by someone else's drinking and driving, it's hard to understandn for some people.

I'm not against drinking. I'm against drinking and driving. It's just wrong!

I also believe our state does have high fees and fines, but I shudder to think what the situation would be like if we didn't have strict laws and penalties on drinking and driving.

Just my 2 cents...

[Bhaalspawn]

I won't even have a single drink if I know that I'm going to be driving soon. If I do, then I'd want to wait two hours or so before getting into the car. I don't like drunk driving anymore than anyone else, but I am very concerned about the ratcheting down of the blood alcohol levels for the offense. It's getting to the point where even minor social drinking after work is becoming de facto illegal.

Three months ago I was pulled over merely because a cop wanted to do a drunk driving check. Nopers, I was wide awake so he had to let me go since I hadn't done anything other than perhaps drive too slowly for his tastes on a rainy night. That bothered me since I couldn't figure out what I'd done wrong as he was pulling me over. I thought it was an invasion of privacy and if someone ended up getting pulled over and given a DUI in a similar situation, I'd suggest they use a defense of lack of probable cause, assuming that the cops have to have a reason to pull you over.

[M TYPE X]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

assuming that the cops have to have a reason to pull you over.

For example, DWO: Driving While in Ohio

[MysteryDriver]

Originally Posted by Sociologist

Happend to be thinking the other day about how many people are arrested on a average night for DUI, each one of them recieves 1200 in fines (avg. statewide for court), 2000 "driver responsability" among other costs in probation and therapy. Now, aside from the morality of this issue, Michigan is one of the ONLY states that has such high costs. Ofcourse, it is wrong to drink and drive and those who do it should be punished. But many who do are not kill or are really that drunk. Many police wait outside of bars. Not only are these fines a good way to impoversh more people and potentially make them loose their jobs, but where the hell is the money going? Mind you, michigan has one of the highest drinking/driving rates in the U.S., and one of the highest ratios of people driving on suspended licsence. Many people dont realize the magnatude of this issue, and some believe it to be bigger than our economic mess.

Madd Mothers and The Media have People so scared and Brainwashed That no
one here or anywhere else will touch this issue with a 10 foot pole.


Madd Mothers=Hysterical, hate-filled, misguided, Most NAZI like, Totalitarian Group in the World...

[KSimmons]

Originally Posted by MysteryDriver

Madd Mothers and The Media have People so scared and Brainwashed That no
one here or anywhere else will touch this issue with a 10 foot pole.


Madd Mothers=Hysterical, hate-filled, misguided, Most NAZI like, Totalitarian Group in the World...

Oh my gosh. "Mystery Driver" What a joke. Your are really a moron. I hope you realize what a douchebag you are.

[Angel Bear]

For example, DWO: Driving While in Ohio

Hee hee! That was good humor

[Kingsnkali]

Mystery Driver,

I agree with you.

KSimmons,

I believe you should be banned from this site for an obvious and clear personal attack on the above poster. I think your post was WAY out of line. I was deeply offended to see this name-calling and attack. Read the rules and allow people to state their opinions. The rest of us enjoy freedom of speech and while we may disagree, we don't resort to personal attacks on each other.

[MittenDweller82]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

I won't even have a single drink if I know that I'm going to be driving soon. If I do, then I'd want to wait two hours or so before getting into the car. I don't like drunk driving anymore than anyone else, but I am very concerned about the ratcheting down of the blood alcohol levels for the offense. It's getting to the point where even minor social drinking after work is becoming de facto illegal.

Three months ago I was pulled over merely because a cop wanted to do a drunk driving check. Nopers, I was wide awake so he had to let me go since I hadn't done anything other than perhaps drive too slowly for his tastes on a rainy night. That bothered me since I couldn't figure out what I'd done wrong as he was pulling me over. I thought it was an invasion of privacy and if someone ended up getting pulled over and given a DUI in a similar situation, I'd suggest they use a defense of lack of probable cause, assuming that the cops have to have a reason to pull you over.

Traffic cops are trained to weed out people with certain driving characterisitics, and zone in on them. Conversly, for the people who are responsable, have 2 drinks and leave, then get arrested. Well, thats a problem, now they face 1500 in fines to the court and 2000 to the state and 6 points on their record. This seriously impovershes people who cannot afford the fines, and sets them up for more targeting such as driving on susupended, or without insurance. I agree that responsability is key, but they know people are going into bars to drink.....a simple solution is in Florida. If your caught with a high level of alch, your car is auctioned off, no exceptions, and they get the money.