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Maybe if your child were killed by a drunk driver you wouldn't think MADD was such a bad organization. They are trying to educate the citizens and lobby the legislatures so we can be ensured safer roads...sounds like pretty bad people to me!
I don't think it's a BAD organization, I think it's a good organization that has gotten out of hand. They have done a lot of good, but there is a point to stop. I do understand what happens when parents lose children, but when the pain becomes put into a mission, it can go to far because it's too hard to stop.
Reading this New Jersey story, well, I just don't know. The truck was running. That's different than sleeping in a parked car. We also don't know how it ended. As I said, I just don't know what to think about it.
In Alabama the truck doesn't have to be running, the keys can be in your pocket. It isn't right. I have sat in my car listening to the radio for a couple hours after only a couple drinks rather than drive, to arrest me for that would just be crazy.
I guess I get a little fired up when I read some of the nonchalant responses regarding drunk driving because when I was in high school I went to a football game with my best friends. We were all supposed to go out afterwards but I started feeling ill so I asked if they could take me home before they went out.
I never heard from them again. Three were killed 15 minutes after they dropped me off when they were hit head on by a drunk driver. The other died 7 weeks later after being in a coma. They were 16 year old girls who had everything going for them.
There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about them. It will be 22 years this fall since the accident and it is still very painful.
One girls mother killed herself a few years after the accident because she couldn't go on. Another girls parents divorced because of the stress of her death. Some of their siblings have had major problems with guilt and that has resulted in failed relationships, drug abuse and, ironically, alcohol abuse.
All of this pain was inflicted upon these people because someone got trashed one night and didn't give a second thought about the consequences.
By the way, the drunk driver walked away from the accident and was found vomiting in the ditch when the police came. He even asked if he could get his music out of the car when he was taken away.
Sorry about the diatribe, but drunk driving is so serious and sometimes the ramifications of poor judgment are glossed over when this topic is discussed.
I guess I get a little fired up when I read some of the nonchalant responses regarding drunk driving because when I was in high school I went to a football game with my best friends. We were all supposed to go out afterwards but I started feeling ill so I asked if they could take me home before they went out.
I never heard from them again. Three were killed 15 minutes after they dropped me off when they were hit head on by a drunk driver. The other died 7 weeks later after being in a coma. They were 16 year old girls who had everything going for them.
There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about them. It will be 22 years this fall since the accident and it is still very painful.
One girls mother killed herself a few years after the accident because she couldn't go on. Another girls parents divorced because of the stress of her death. Some of their siblings have had major problems with guilt and that has resulted in failed relationships, drug abuse and, ironically, alcohol abuse.
All of this pain was inflicted upon these people because someone got trashed one night and didn't give a second thought about the consequences.
By the way, the drunk driver walked away from the accident and was found vomiting in the ditch when the police came. He even asked if he could get his music out of the car when he was taken away.
Sorry about the diatribe, but drunk driving is so serious and sometimes the ramifications of poor judgment are glossed over when this topic is discussed.
I am deeply sorry for your loss.
The problem happens because it is such a close emotional issue for so many people. Most do realize drunk driving has been the cause of great tragedy. When it comes to the law we have to step back emotionally. Drinking alcohol is legal, and a BAC as been determined for safe driving. If a person goes over that level and drives they are entitled to their rights, those rights should not be trampled because the issue is emotional. If they do not drive, they should never be arrested.
In Colorado, you can be arrested for "Driving While Ability Impaired" with a BAC of 0.05. It doesn't take too many drinks to reach this BAC. I think it is appropriate. I took an alcohol class in grad school and learned a lot, including those who can drink others under the table are still impaired.
Most people here aren't talking about drunk driving or addicted people. A glass of wine while out to dinner does not make a person an addict. The level of impairment would be much less than someone on a cell phone or on an allergy pill. I have seen cranky people drive horribly, and even a minor sleep deprivation impairs driving. Should only people who can prove they slept 8 hours be allowed to drive? No one is advocating drunk driving? "Drunk" is a level.
The funny thing is that many addicted people deny their addiction. I'm just a supporter for a 0 tolerance when it comes to mind altering substances and public safety.
If people wanna get drunk or high, they should do it in the safety of their own home or make sure that they get driven home by a sober person when they are partying elsewhere.
There seems to be this idea that if the BAC limit keeps being lowered it will save lives, but that hasn't been shown to be true. Government data proves, alcohol abusers with very high BAC, (usually at least twice the legal limit) levels cause most drunk-driving deaths and no credible research has shown that .08 percent BAC laws save lives,
MADD insists on criminalizing social drinkers for self-preservation of the organization and likely there are other people making money by pushing this. They have succeeded in the original mission to reduce drunk-driving deaths by educating the public and strengthening laws, but MADD has declined to declare victory, they want to keep going.
No more benefit has been shown to be possible, but they want to criminalize social drinking.
Originally Posted by detshenThe funny thing is that many addicted people deny their addiction. I'm just a supporter for a 0 tolerance when it comes to mind altering substances and public safety.
If people wanna get drunk or high, they should do it in the safety of their own home or make sure that they get driven home by a sober person when they are partying elsewhere.
A person who enjoys a glass of wine with dinner is not in denial of alcoholism, that's ridiculous. There is no proven reason for a zero tolerance policy, it won't save lives. Almost all fatal accidents are people .18 and above, more than twice the legal limit. People need to use logic, not emotion with this issue.
In Colorado, you can be arrested for "Driving While Ability Impaired" with a BAC of 0.05. It doesn't take too many drinks to reach this BAC. I think it is appropriate. I took an alcohol class in grad school and learned a lot, including those who can drink others under the table are still impaired.
Quote:
Originally Posted by detshen
A person who enjoys a glass of wine with dinner is not in denial of alcoholism, that's ridiculous. There is no proven reason for a zero tolerance policy, it won't save lives. Almost all fatal accidents are people .18 and above, more than twice the legal limit. People need to use logic, not emotion with this issue.
If you commit a traffic offense, a cop can stop you and breathalyze you. In this state, if your BAC is above 0.05, you can get the above citation. The cop has to have a reason to stop you. So a 0.05 BAC can cause one to drive poorly enough to cause a cop to stop you..
People need to use logic, not emotion with this issue.
The logic is that when there is a 0 tolerance to alcohol and driving:
1) The roads would be much safer.
2) Alcohol cannot be blamed for causing accidents anymore. I only see a win / win situation.
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I'm just a supporter for a 0 tolerance when it comes to mind altering substances and public safety.
I only see a win / win situation.
