Don't Drink and Drive.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Well I know that some people will say obviously and shrug this post off but after reading another posters comment it reminded me that this is still a message that does need to get out to the people and even if there are not enough taxi's there is always another option to drinking and driving.

It is the holiday season and no one needs to have it taken away from them.

Also does anyone know if Operation Red Nose still operates in Calgary, I know it did a few years back but lately I haven't heard anything about it in the media and a quick Google search didn't turn anything up.


www.maddcalgary.ca

[habernac]

good message, MMM. I read the other thread and I'm at a loss as to what to say. I can't even imagine.

If you're out boozing, don't even bring the car. Leave the damn thing at home.

[V]

My wife's best friend lost her mom a number of years ago to a drunk driver. It's incredibly infuriating, since it's such a ridiculous thing to do.

You have to be an absolute idiot in every way to even consider getting behind the wheel after drinking.

[KevanGuy]

Well, I was going to start a new thread for this but I might as well post it here.

Most of you probably dont know but Oilfan#81 is a GM in the CPHL. After the news of the passing of his girlfriend due to a drunk driver this week we (in the CPHL) have decided to make a donation to MADD on his behalf.

If anyone is interested they can email money transfer to my email kfernet@shaw.ca or you can PM me for my address and mail it too me. We are really hoping the true community spirt of CP can come through on this one. A donation of any size is greatly appreciated and will help make something positive out of this tragedy.

[Eastern Girl]

Good post MMM. It's always a good idea to remind people about not driving drunk or under the influence, particularly around the holidays. It's infuriating to see someone get hurt or killed because of someone elses stupidity.

Edit: I hadn't heard about Oilfan's girlfriend. I am really sorry to hear about it. My thoughts are with him.

[HelloHockeyFans]

As with most things in life, stop and think for a minute before making a decision.

It's the holidays. Go out, have fun... but please, leave the keys at home and hop in a cab instead.

[Devils'Advocate]

You would be surprised how many sites are dedicated to legalizing drinking and driving (ie http://www.lewrockwell.com/rockwell/drunkdriving.html ). It just makes me furious.

I remember guys in university claim that they were better drivers drunk. There were guys who said "Oh, come on, give me the keys... I drive drunk most of the time and I've never been in an accident". To this day it boggles my mind how anyone can be this stupid.

The worst part is that usually the drunk driver walks away after killing a whole family. And then they do 6 months and jump right back into their lives like nothing happened.

[tvp2003]

I've always thought -- instead of punishing impaired drivers with a ticket, suspended license, fine, jailtime, etc. -- they should put them all into a big field with only one exit. Then make them drive around for 10-15 minutes demolition derby style before opening the exit. Anyone who gets out alive survives. Anyone who doesn't...

[Frank the Tank]

Its really stunning that this is still a problem in our society. Obviously we need to change the laws drastically to try and deter this.

So many people have stories like Oilfan#81. When is enough enough?

Thanksgiving weekend of 1990, I was in my second year of university in Windsor, Ontario. Our defensive end, Ed Chisholm, was on his way back to Hamilton for turkey dinner. His brother was driving, his sister-in-law was in the passenger seat and Ed had fallen asleep in the back set as we had just played a game and he was dog tired. A drunk driver crossed the median on the 401 and hit them head on killing Ed instantly. 20 years old and he was gone. One of the best natural athletes I have ever seen.

Turns out the guy was a serious repeat offender. I think 5 or 6 offenses. He got four years. Four.

[Nicole]

That's really sad about Oilfan#81. My heart goes out to him. I'm a victim of a drunk driver myself and it infuriates me that people are so ignorant and reckless, that they still get in and drive their vehicles after drinking. There's no excuse for this and there needs to be stiffer penalties and jail time for these people, especially b/c this is murder and these people usually just get a slap on the wrist. They are free to live their lives like normal while the family and loved ones of the innocent vicitm(s) is/are left to suffer.

[rubecube]

It's also sad the Alberta is the drunk-driving capital of Canada. That's not a title we should be proud of.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

Its really stunning that this is still a problem in our society. Obviously we need to change the laws drastically to try and deter this.

So many people have stories like Oilfan#81. When is enough enough?

Thanksgiving weekend of 1990, I was in my second year of university in Windsor, Ontario. Our defensive end, Ed Chisholm, was on his way back to Hamilton for turkey dinner. His brother was driving, his sister-in-law was in the passenger seat and Ed had fallen asleep in the back set as we had just played a game and he was dog tired. A drunk driver crossed the median on the 401 and hit them head on killing Ed instantly. 20 years old and he was gone. One of the best natural athletes I have ever seen.

Turns out the guy was a serious repeat offender. I think 5 or 6 offenses. He got four years. Four.

Not trying to play the devils advocate or downplay drunk driving by any means but in the last 16 years the penalties for drinking and driving have changed completely. If people are stupid enough to do it now knowing full well that they could lose their license for a year, have a criminal record, pay crap loads of fines and have skyrocketed insurance rates than they are complete idiots. I mean it's a pretty clear message and people still end up doing it which is mind boggling.

[pope04]

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

Most of you probably dont know but Oilfan#81 is a GM in the CPHL. After the news of the passing of his girlfriend due to a drunk driver this week we (in the CPHL) have decided to make a donation to MADD on his behalf.

How dreadful. My wife and I send a donation each year to MADD, a cause I feel to be very deserving. My thoughts are with Oilfan#81.

[ericschand]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

Not trying to play the devils advocate or downplay drunk driving by any means but in the last 16 years the penalties for drinking and driving have changed completely. If people are stupid enough to do it now knowing full well that they could lose their license for a year, have a criminal record, pay crap loads of fines and have skyrocketed insurance rates than they are complete idiots. I mean it's a pretty clear message and people still end up doing it which is mind boggling.

The problem is the ones who think like the link Devil's Advocate posted.
There is no valid reasoning within that link. It's all based on the opinion that
you should be free to do what you want, with numerous strawman
arguments that mislead. I could not find one substantiating fact
within his argument for allowing drunk driving.

When you get people thinking like that, and others who seem important
corroborating with them, they will shrug it off, and off they go.

Then when caught, they will inevitably try to bring their arguments to
court, but no reasonable lawyer would allow them to do so. At which
point they get the fines, criminal record, etc.

ers

[Jayems]

Condolences.

[The Goon]

What an awful thing to hear. My sympathies to everyone affected.

This has been on my mind as well recently, as next week will be the two-year anniversary since my friend Paula was killed by a drunk driver at Centre St/25 Ave.

http://www.celebratingpaula.com/imag.../20050109.html

There are always options, folks. Please don't drink and drive.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

Also does anyone know if Operation Red Nose still operates in Calgary, I know it did a few years back but lately I haven't heard anything about it in the media and a quick Google search didn't turn anything up.


www.maddcalgary.ca

I haven't heard anything about operation Red Nose up in the Edmonton area either. I thought it was a good program for people to use and really gave people no excuse to drive their car home (not to suggest people ever had one). But I can see how maybe liability was maybe a problem for them with people driving other peoples vehichles, and at this time of year. I would certainly be willing to volunteer if it's still around though.

[Thunderball]

I think too many of these morons heard the fact that there are some people who don't lose much co-ordination and focus with increasing intoxication. This really is true, I don't remember the percentage... its definitely below 20% though. Its not about holding your liquor, its just alcohol affects different people in different ways.

Clearly, its none of these people, but everyone wants to be a "real man" and even if you are one of them, (I know a few people who don't stumble, have full balance and can still play video games without missing a beat, yet are clearly drunk... I'm one of them, but I've never tried to put that to the test on the road, and still put my keys down after 3 drinks regardless... its the law, stupid) its still in everyone's best interests to have a DD, or take a cab/limo/bus. Its a shame that innocent people have to suffer for other people's bad decisions and that we have a society that refuses to punish people for doing this. 4 years is nothing for ending someone's life. Then again, Murder 1 in Canada seems to only result in 10 years of prison...

[return to the red]

zero-tolerance is the only answer for drunk-driving. If you get a DUI, licence suspended, that's it no more driving. I'm gonna sound like my parents here when i was a teenager but driving isn't a right, it's a previledge

edit: I would just like to add that I am no Saint, I will be the first to admit that I have been driving when in all rights I shouldn't have been. Hypocritical of me to make my statement, you bet but acknowledging that I did USE to do this a while back makes me realize exactly how irresponsible it was and how I will never do it again

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

Well, I was going to start a new thread for this but I might as well post it here.

Most of you probably dont know but Oilfan#81 is a GM in the CPHL. After the news of the passing of his girlfriend due to a drunk driver this week we (in the CPHL) have decided to make a donation to MADD on his behalf.

If anyone is interested they can email money transfer to my email kfernet@shaw.ca or you can PM me for my address and mail it too me. We are really hoping the true community spirt of CP can come through on this one. A donation of any size is greatly appreciated and will help make something positive out of this tragedy.

Sent with the hope what Oilfan#81 is going through might happen to one less person. My condolances.