Quote:
Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist
Why is drunk driving so much worse than other manslaughter?? Because of commercials and social sigma?
Is not malicious, it's carelessness. I'm not sure society is served by long term incarceration. It would not likely affect either incidence or recurrence, so what is the benefit?
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I will never ever agree to that. Its not carelessness. Carelessness is a tragic event that happens due to not paying attention while doing something dangerous. Drunk driving is all about making a decision to get into your vehicle and driving even though you know you shouldn't because
A) There are enough public service messages out there educating people about drunk driving and its penalties and its costs to society and individuals
B) You know its highly illegal, yet you ignore that to drive anyways (Not you you Street but you know)
C) You (again not you Street) know that you are putting your life and others at risk yet you do it anyways.
Look I don't buy the argument of diminished capacity due to alcohol, frankly because alcohol doesn't mess you up right away, you know your getting drunk after the second beer, and maybe at that point when your ordering the third beer you should be looking at a safe right home. The argument that I thought I was ok doesn't wash, nor does I couldn't find a cab so I said screw it, nor does any excuse, because there is no excuse.
While it might not be malicious, its certainly not careless and it falls in between the two around the whole screw it I just don't care about anyone around me, nor the laws out there, I'm gonna drive anyways.
To me its no different then manslaughter, and in some ways could be considered worse because you (again not you) made a decision to endanger others in a incapacitated state.
I'm fine with long sentences because after all the money spent on public service ads and the such people still say screw it and drive anyways, and where education doesn't work, then deterrence has to step in to provide a harsh lesson to those who are out at the bar drinking that the courts mean business, in other words making examples out of people to encourage others.
I would be fine with shorter sentences if they were meaningful. For example in exchange for a year in jail, you're bused into morgues every time there's a drunk driving fatality to clean off the bodies and help get them ready for burial. Or you have to work with people critically injured by drunk drivers to help them face their sometimes brutalized day to day life.
If you hurt or killed someone
On top of that, part of your parole is you have to wear a bit bright I was a drunk driver and I killed someone, I'm sorry T-Shirt from the hours of 5 at night until you go to bed. That way if you go anywhere that alcohol is served, everyone knows what the price is.
On top of that during your parole you not only have to speak at at least one school, you have to video tape a public service message, and if you killed someone you have to admit it during that public service message.
Oh I firmly believe in the three strike rule for drunk drivers.
Strike one DUI a heavy fine and a license suspension of at least a year
Strike two a heavier fine and a license suspension of 5 years
Strike three a one year jail term with the above listed conditions and a lifetime suspension
Oh and if your caught driving a car while under suspension. Seisure of said vehicle a massive fine ($50-100,000) and 5 years in prison.
This drunk driving thing has to stop, its a un-neccessary and selfish crime. Daniel Tsettier or whatever his name is should still be in prison in my mind.
Should be much longer.
