Are DUI Laws Excessive in your state ... ?

scott_vt · Jan 17, 2009

Good Evenin Guys,
Im just sitting in the kitchen with Kathleen this evening discussing the DWI laws in our state, and of course the group that spearheaded much of todays legislation, MADD. We both have some very mixed emotions on this subject, we seriously realize the need for reform when it comes to drinking and driving, but has it gone too far ? We worry about both of our young adult children, 25 and 27, both boys, both college grads, and hope that they excersize good judgement when it comes to going out with their friends on a friday or saturday night ! My youngest boy is a career fireman and my oldest boy is a volunteer firemen and holds an excellent computer science job. They both need their licenses to go to work and function in society.

I hold a CDL license, which in this state, you are considered DUI witha .04 BAC. I would never have a drink while driving commercially, but it is nice to have a beer or a glass of wine with your dinner when you go out to eat. Unfortunately that BAC applies even if your driving the family SUV !

While I have been fortunate enough to never have had a loved killed by a drunk driver, what a horrible thing that would certainly be, I also hope that my kids never get caught up in the system and have their lives ruined by todays laws !

In conclusion I think the laws need to be adjusted just a bit. I would like to see just a bit of liencency when it comes to some one consumming two beers, rather than be taken away in the police cruiser and have their life turned upside down. This is just my opinion, and Im sure you guys have your own feelings on this subject, please feel free !

Skyco · Jan 17, 2009

My opinion is opposite of yours. DUI laws need to be much harsher. No, I've not had anyone be a victim of a DUI driver....

Scooby074 · Jan 17, 2009

I look at it this way. If a person is slightly over the limit (ie a beer or 2 at the most) then there should be a little lieniency shown if its a first offense and there was no accident. On a second offense ,or if the person is severely intoxicated or was involved in an accident than they should throw the book at him. Should you take a guys license and potentially ruin a mans livelihood for a first offense? Nobody's perfect and being a little over the limit can happen to anybody by accident.

Willl · Jan 17, 2009

scott_vt said:
Are DUI Laws Excessive in your state ... ?

No, they're still doing it.
When they stop, it'll be just right.

scott_vt · Jan 17, 2009

Skyco said:
My opinion is opposite of yours. DUI laws need to be much harsher.

Good Evenin Skyco,
I just dont think someone can be considered legally drunk after consumming one beer while having dinner IMHO !

SnowRidge · Jan 17, 2009

The government seems unable to differentiate an individual's on the job behaviour with his/her off the job behaviour, which is a shame. Many people are capable of compartmentalizing their lives and do not present any sort of public hazard at work, even though they are problem children off the job.

Taking away someone's livelihood because of an off the job indiscretion is just plain wrong, unless there is solid evidence they also represent the same hazard on the job.

George2615 · Jan 17, 2009

I think DUI laws in my state are where they should be. Its .08 BAC here. One or two drinks with your meal should not put you over the limit but at a .04 BAC in your state you'll be close depending on your size. I think your states .04 BAC is a little low. Is that .04 BAC just for CDL or any license.

The biggest problem here (and maybe other states as well) are those who don't know when to stop drinking. I think the law needs to be harsher for those offenders since a lot of them do get caught, lose their license, pay a stiff fine, pay higher insurance (since DMV notifies their ins. co.) and continue to drive now without a license. I remember reading of a couple of cases where the offenders were on their 6th and 7th convictions for DUI before they finally served some jail time. I think repeat offenders should serve jail time if they are caught a second time DUI. Maybe then they'd realize they have a drinking problem and would get help. And no I've not had anyone be a victim.

LBrown59 · Jan 17, 2009

scott_vt said:
1* we seriously realize the need for reform when it comes to drinking and driving, but has it gone too far ?
2*I would never have a drink while driving commercially, but it is nice to have a beer or a glass of wine with your dinner when you go out to eat.
3*Unfortunately that BAC applies even if your driving the family SUV
4*In conclusion I think the laws need to be adjusted just a bit.
5* I would like to see just a bit of leniency when it comes to someone consuming two beers, rather than be taken away in the police cruiser and have their life turned upside down.
This is just my opinion, and I'm sure you guys have your own feelings on this subject, please feel free !
ABCDEFGHIJ
6*In conclusion I think the laws need to be adjusted just a bit. I would like to see just a bit of leniency when it comes to someone consuming two beers,
* rather than be taken away in the police cruiser and have their life turned upside down.

ABCDEFGHIJ
1*I don't feel they go far enough.
2*With all the Minutes in a day and all the places you can be in there is absolutely no excuse to be drinking at the time you are driving or located in a vehicle.
There is no reason to ever combine the time you drink and being in a vehicle together .
If you want to drink stay out of the vehicle .
If you want in the vehicle stay away from the bottle.
3*As well it should. I don't care what he's driving I don't want him running into me.
4*Yeah they need to clamp down harder not relax them.
5*I disagree: There is no need to consume those 2 beers at that time under those circumstances.
I've seen drunk drivers have terrible impacts on to close families.
One of them my wife's sister.
It's sickening the senless suffering those 2 drunks wrecked on those families.
6*This would be a Sunday picnic compared to what the 2 drunks put the 2 families through.
Where was the leniency for these families.?

scott_vt · Jan 17, 2009

George2615 said:
I think your states .04 BAC is a little low. Is that .04 BAC just for CDL or any license.

quote]

Good Evenin George,
Yes that is for a CDL, but it applies to you driving your personal vehicle ! Im not drunk after having one beer IMO, but the state sees it otherwise !

Im not advocating drunk driving in this thread, I just dont think that having one beer and being 175 lbs, and getting stopped is right IMHO !