DUI Thread

[jaxhawksfan]

http://avenuesdeercreek.firstcoastnews.com/news/news/67602-jacksonville-one-top-5-worst-cities-dui



So this was just a little article about Jacksonville being ranked number 4 for DUI's in the nations top 20 most populated cities. I figured we could use it as an excuse to argue the in's and out's of DUI's.



Let me start by saying ONE death that comes as a result of a DUI is too many.



Now let me ***** about DUI laws for a second. .08 is a fucking joke. That number is not about safety, it is about revenue. Study after study have shown that talking on your cell phone is the same level distraction/danger as .08 blood alcohol level and that texting is far worse, yet you don't see people getting thrown in jail, driver's license revoked and careers ruined by these acts.



DUI is a misdemeanor offense. However, it is the only one (that I know of) that will ruin you and your livelihood. Many employers won't employ/can't employ you with a DUI on your record. The punishment doesn't fit the crime. One DUI conviction can ruin a person, two or more and you might as well live in your mother's basement for the rest of your life if you want to follow the law afterwards. The .08 drivers aren't the ones killing others (IMO) it is the repeat offenders that are plastered and don't even give a damn about the law or whether or not they have a license.



Get a cab, use a designated driver..........might work in some instances. However, in a city like Jacksonville that is very large and very spread out (without a bar on every corner) and doesn't have much in the line of public transportation or a prevalence of taxi's those methods of avoiding drinking while driving aren't so realistic. Taxi's here are ungodly expensive.



Yes, all of these are excuses as to why someone might do it. Just like speeding, the easiest way to avoid the penalty if caught is simply not to do it.



When someone says "________ was killed by a drunk driver" there are many instances when you don't really know that was the truth. Person A could have been at fault, and the other person involved just happened to be under the influence so the blame automatically shifts to them. That is bullshit. I have spent many years driving around the country for a living and have had my share of "close calls" because some moron ran a sign or light, or did something else stupid. If I had been drinking my reaction might have been slowed and I may have actually hit them, but does that put 100% of the blame on me? According to the law it does. Also according to the law, because I have a CDL I am not allowed the same .08 BAC afforded those with a "regular" license even when I am driving my own personal vehicle. I think this is more bullshit.



I'm sure there are some of you who have lost loved-ones and the police said it was due to a drunk driver. I am sorry for your loss and am in no way trying to justify things. I just take some things police say with a grain of salt like "If he was not wearing his seatbelt he would still be alive." Oh really God? You know this absolutely because why? Your vast experience tells you the outcome of all situations? Statistics and probabilities are one thing, statements that make things absolute are different.





There are many sides of this argument and I see most of them clearly. Please discuss.

 

[Ton]

I don't exactly agree with everything you said, but I do think the DUI laws have too much of a grey area. In fact the entire system is one big fat grey area.



I had a friend last week that got a DUI and his cop didn't show up to court--got off without a single charge. Every case is handled so different, but largely has to do with the judge involved and the attorney. Unless you killed someone (even then, I had a distant cousin killed by a drunk driver and they got off without a single charge... they had deep ties with the legal system) it has nothing to do with the case and everything to do with if the judge likes you or your attorney. It's so fucking corrupt its ridiculous. I know a lot of people that have been arrested for a DUI and they walk out without any charges against them and others that are slapped with every fucking law in the book.



I don't think .08 is fair, what is it, two beers? I think that logic might work for someone who is 100 pounds, but not for me. Either way, that is the law and my point from before is, if that's what it is then you have to obey it, if you get caught there should be some sort of punishment... however not to the extent that the "book" has in store. Like you said, that "misdemeanor" could ruin your career. For what, two beers?



Here is another problem, the "system" pretty much deems everyone convicted of a DUI as an alcoholic. If you are convicted, your image is ruined therefore possibly tarnishing your career/job search. Fair? Depends, but I'd say more often than not it is unfair.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

I don't exactly agree with everything you said, but I do think the DUI laws have too much of a grey area. In fact the entire system is one big fat grey area.



I had a friend last week that got a DUI and his cop didn't show up to court--got off without a single charge. Every case is handled so different, but largely has to do with the judge involved and the attorney. Unless you killed someone, it has nothing to do with the case and everything to do with if the judge likes you or your attorney. It's so fucking corrupt its ridiculous. I know a lot of people that have been arrested for a DUI and they walk out without any charges against them and others that are slapped with every fucking law in the book.



I don't think .08 is fair, what is it, two beers? I think that logic might work for someone who is 100 pounds, but not for me. Either way, that is the law and my point from before is, if that's what it is then you have to obey it, if you get caught there should be some sort of punishment... however not to the extent that the "book" has in store. Like you said, that "misdemeanor" could ruin your career. For what, two beers?



Here is another problem, the "system" pretty much deems everyone convicted of a DUI as an alcoholic. If you are convicted, your image is ruined therefore possibly tarnishing your career/job search. Fair? Depends, but I'd say more often than not it is unfair.

No worries, I don't even agree with everything I say all the time.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

I'm actually more focused after a couple of beers... and by couple I mean 2-3. I would never drive after more than that, it's just not worth it.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

It's very simple. Don't drive drunk. If you know you're going out to bars and such and will be drinking quite a few, get a DD or a cab, it's very simple. Follow the rules and you're fine, don't follow them and you potential could cause some fatal accidents.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

Also Jax, if you can't afford the cab ride home, then you might want to consider not spending that money on alcoholic drinks either...

 

[TSD]

I've driven times where I'm sure I was over .08. I know damn well when im too far gone to get behind the wheel, though. I have a buddy that got a DUI and lost his license for a year, he blew a .09. He got caught because he was speeding, I told him he really has no one to blame but himself there, I dont care if I just had one or 2 beers, I am following the traffic laws to the letter until I get home.



It was literally maybe twice ive done this. I avoid going to bars like the plague if I cant walk to them and stay at someones house.

 

[TSD]

With that said, you can blow under a .08 and still get a DUI. basically .08 is the guaranteed DUI citation, if you have alcohol in your system(under .08) in some states its essentially left to the officers discretion if they believe you are impaired, so essentially if you drink at all and drive, you can get a DUI, whether you are under the limit or not.

 

[mikita's helmet]

I'm actually more focused after a couple of beers... and by couple I mean 2-3. I would never drive after more than that, it's just not worth it.

I'm like that after a couple tabs of 'cid. By that, I mean a handful, I'd never do two handfuls.



Like the ad says, "I know when to say 'when'.". I just do.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

It's very simple. Don't drive drunk. If you know you're going out to bars and such and will be drinking quite a few, get a DD or a cab, it's very simple. Follow the rules and you're fine, don't follow them and you potential could cause some fatal accidents.

That's exactly why I stated this in what I wrote.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

Also Jax, if you can't afford the cab ride home, then you might want to consider not spending that money on alcoholic drinks either...

Let's see........$8 pitcher of beer. $50 cab ride home. That's pretty damn unbalanced if you ask me. However the point still remains, it is all cheaper than a $10,000 DUI conviction.

 

[LordKOTL]

First off, blow anything above a 0.0% in Slovakia, and they pig you for a DUI. 2nd, talk on a cell or text or anything like that and they pig you as a primary offense. 3rd, when you're pulled over, you pay on the spot...in cash, if not they take your license away and you're walking.



If you ask me, We need more stringent laws like that. if you're piloting a 2ton hunk of steel and plastic, you should be putting your full faculties behind it.



But that being said, if a DUI is a misdemeanor, it should never come into play for any employment opportunity unless one of your primary duties is driving. if you're a cube-filler, then it shouldn't affect anything. if you're a bus driver or a cabbie, then yeah, let it expunge from your record.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

First off, blow anything above a 0.0% in Slovakia, and they pig you for a DUI. 2nd, talk on a cell or text or anything like that and they pig you as a primary offense. 3rd, when you're pulled over, you pay on the spot...in cash, if not they take your license away and you're walking.



If you ask me, We need more stringent laws like that. if you're piloting a 2ton hunk of steel and plastic, you should be putting your full faculties behind it.



But that being said, if a DUI is a misdemeanor, it should never come into play for any employment opportunity unless one of your primary duties is driving. if you're a cube-filler, then it shouldn't affect anything. if you're a bus driver or a cabbie, then yeah, let it expunge from your record.

I'm all for that, and I think that was Ton's point as well. The law should be zero alcohol, zero drugs (prescribed or otherwise), zero phone usage.......not this grey "well you can have a couple and we'll measure up to a .08" before we **** you and your livelihood.

 

[LordKOTL]

The only issue I see with all of that is that the people greasing the politicians happen to be the ones drinking and otherwise driving distracted. I'd love it to happen here but realistically, enough people do it that it would be political suicide for any politician to suggest it.

 

[Ton]

I'm all for that, and I think that was Ton's point as well. The law should be zero alcohol, zero drugs (prescribed or otherwise), zero phone usage.......not this grey "well you can have a couple and we'll measure up to a .08" before we **** you and your livelihood.

Exactly, if they are going to go as far as making a limit, they should take into consideration height and weight to the limit because it is different for everyone.

 

[Maiden]

Exactly, if they are going to go as far as making a limit, they should take into consideration height and weight to the limit because it is different for everyone.

I think that's what the .08 represents.

It might take 2 or 3 beers for me to get to .08 and Jako 15 to 25 to get to that same .08.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

I think that's what the .08 represents.

It might take 2 or 3 beers for me to get to .08 and Jako 15 to 25 to get to that same .08.

I see what you are saying, but there isn't a magical formula. 2 beers, 2 shots, 2 glasses of wine all affect people differently. Then you take into consideration food, medicines, fatigue, etc. and one never knows whether they will blow a .08 or not. The only safe way is to have nothing to drink if you are driving. When you have a bar right down the street, no problem you can walk. When the bar you frequent is a 20 minute drive away..........no fun. Keep in mind, again, I'm not saying we should all be able to drive drunk, just pointing out parts of the law that I think are bs and trying to start some conversation.

 

[jakobeast]

I think that's what the .08 represents.

It might take 2 or 3 beers for me to get to .08 and Jako 15 to 25 to get to that same .08.

I am a lightweight. Big time. I get all woozie from a beer. Although it has been getting better

 

[Maiden]

I see what you are saying, but there isn't a magical formula. 2 beers, 2 shots, 2 glasses of wine all affect people differently. Then you take into consideration food, medicines, fatigue, etc. and one never knows whether they will blow a .08 or not. The only safe way is to have nothing to drink if you are driving. When you have a bar right down the street, no problem you can walk. When the bar you frequent is a 20 minute drive away..........no fun. Keep in mind, again, I'm not saying we should all be able to drive drunk, just pointing out parts of the law that I think are bs and trying to start some conversation.

Rule of thumb #1.............a $15 cab fare is cheaper than a $3000 DUI cost (maybe more? I have no idea)

 

[Tater]

I see what you are saying, but there isn't a magical formula. 2 beers, 2 shots, 2 glasses of wine all affect people differently. Then you take into consideration food, medicines, fatigue, etc. and one never knows whether they will blow a .08 or not. The only safe way is to have nothing to drink if you are driving. When you have a bar right down the street, no problem you can walk. When the bar you frequent is a 20 minute drive away..........no fun. Keep in mind, again, I'm not saying we should all be able to drive drunk, just pointing out parts of the law that I think are bs and trying to start some conversation.

But what if you stumble into the street and get hit by a guy obeying all traffic laws EXCEPT, that he had two beers after work?

Just food for thought. Even if you're barely over the limit and someone does something stupid, or even if a deer jumps in front of you it's you that would get a DUI (assuming someone calls the police).