Letting drunks pay..........

[sorrel]

This site, which I found reference to by another post on another site, I just had to pass along.

I just love the concept of using a fine to have drunks pay for the equipment to take themselfs off the road.

www.lawandordermag.com/fleetfocus.htm

The whole story can be read at this link.

[Stump]

Honestly, I don't think that it would prevent DWI's -- however, I think it is a wonderful tool to convict drunk drivers. It may not STOP people from drinking and driving, but it will help prove the case against them and get them to pay for their crime, hopefully before hurting someone or themselves.

[sorrel]

I agree stump, prevention is another matter alltogether.

I am afraid though, unless someone invents a car that won't start if you are drunk we will have ppl that drink and drive.

So intervention before they hurt someone on the road is the best we can do.
I really liked the story behind this, this man turned his personal loss and tragedy into a tool to help keep everyone a little safer.

I don't know how much you had a chance to read, at the bottom he offers his help, I imagine experience, in getting a similar law passed in other places.

Hey, LEO's catch DUI'S all the time, and with a little extra funding in this way even more of them will receive a penalty for thier actions.

[resqr1]

Actually, there is a device that can be installed in all vehicles that will disable the vehicle of a drunk. It's a breathalyzer for the car. If there is ANY trace of alcohol the vehicle will not start. A lot of dwi's must have this installed as part of their sentence, here. I don't know the cost, but it ain't cheap. Personally, I'd like to see it mandatory in all vehicles, but that would make our jobs too easy:D

[sorrel]

Wow, resqr1 I had no idea that was something they had already.

It would be something worth fighting for in all cars, think of the lives it would save.
Sure there probably are ways around such a system but it would still help.
Auto makers didn't want to put in air bags, afraid of the increase in costs, look at the lives that saves.
Perhaps if your state generates stats on this, it could show some of the real benefits to using it.

Do you know if your state has a link to this kind of stats ?
I would love to email them to my congressman.

[Stump]

Yeah, I have seen those vehicles that have the breathalyzer. Problem is, you can have any yahoo walking by blow into it, and it will work. There is always a way to get around the system. :(

I hadn't gotten a chance to read the last bit of the article - I only scanned. I'll read it tomorrow when I get home....