rant : drunk driving
Jan. 30th, 2005 10:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
threeplusfireI have no respect for anyone who drives a vehicle while intoxicated. Absolutely none. It is a harsh line I draw, and may seem to conflict with my beliefs in each person's ability and right to make their own decisions. But I may allow myself some inconsistencies.
When a person drives drunk, it is the limit of folly and arrogance. Folly because of the enormous potential for harm and arrogance for the presumption upon others. It's a well established fact that drunk drivers don't injure or kill just themselves. It wouldn't be so much of a problem if they did, as it would serve as a bit of natural selection to weed out the impossibly stupid. But they frequently bring misery to ordinary people, those unfortunates who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
It is shameful and perplexing that even intelligent people drive drunk. If you can't show the bare minimum of responsibility by having a designated driver or calling a cab, then someone needs to beat you into the pavement and take your keys. There is never an excuse, never a reason. Wait and sober up, call a cab, get someone else to take you home. This is not one of those situations where doing the right thing is hard, or a matter on interpretation. Don't drive drunk, and don't let your friends drive drunk. It's that simple.
The first person who makes a cocky remark to me about how they drive better when intoxicated will get popped in the mouth. Operating a machine than weighs several hundred pounds that is made of metal, plastic and glass while your judgement and reactions are impaired? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
I think we should shoot drunk drivers, but then I am an angry person.
When a person drives drunk, it is the limit of folly and arrogance. Folly because of the enormous potential for harm and arrogance for the presumption upon others. It's a well established fact that drunk drivers don't injure or kill just themselves. It wouldn't be so much of a problem if they did, as it would serve as a bit of natural selection to weed out the impossibly stupid. But they frequently bring misery to ordinary people, those unfortunates who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
It is shameful and perplexing that even intelligent people drive drunk. If you can't show the bare minimum of responsibility by having a designated driver or calling a cab, then someone needs to beat you into the pavement and take your keys. There is never an excuse, never a reason. Wait and sober up, call a cab, get someone else to take you home. This is not one of those situations where doing the right thing is hard, or a matter on interpretation. Don't drive drunk, and don't let your friends drive drunk. It's that simple.
The first person who makes a cocky remark to me about how they drive better when intoxicated will get popped in the mouth. Operating a machine than weighs several hundred pounds that is made of metal, plastic and glass while your judgement and reactions are impaired? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
I think we should shoot drunk drivers, but then I am an angry person.
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no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 08:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 08:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 08:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 08:39 am (UTC)I am sure it's a good long list. Between the two of us, it's surely in the double digits.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 08:38 am (UTC)I mean, we live in NYC for god's sake. Subway anyone? Jesus. People are dumb.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 08:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 09:20 am (UTC)And on a less somber note (which is how Joel would have wanted it):
Scottish DUI test (http://www.mangoat.net/archives/DUI-TEST-SCOTTISH.wmv)
no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 10:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 10:01 am (UTC)It's not like that everywhere. It's like that here, though. Also, sometimes you don't realize how drunk you are.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 10:57 am (UTC)It goes back to responsibility. Appoint a designated driver, stick an extra twenty in your back pocket for a cab, call a friend and beg for a ride. If you're parked somewhere that you would get towed if you left it overnight, don't drink so much.
Amen!
Date: 2005-01-30 10:44 am (UTC)I also add the "not wearing my seatbelt" group to that.
I held a 4 and a half year boy as he died from injuries sustained from a seatbelt that was not appropriate for him. (Should have had a booster seat and a re-sized shoulder belt.)
Katja
Re: Amen!
Date: 2005-01-30 10:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 10:48 am (UTC)Public transportation is preferred in all cases, BUT if public transportation IS NOT AVAILABLE and you do not have a ride home BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL, in some states you can get screwed even when you try to do the right thing.
Sleeping it off can get you a DUI!
Riding a Bike, Skateboard, Rollerblades, and others can get you a DUI
(and yes it will still effect your Drivers License!!!)
In some state, being the passenger in a car can get you a DUI!
Being close to a car that you have keys for can get you a DUI because this is one thing in our society that you are PRESUMED GUILTY!
Be Very, Very Careful when you try to do the right thing by Not Drinking and Driving!
no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 10:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 11:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 10:59 am (UTC)It's funny how this seems to bother none of my friends in the least.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 11:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 01:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-30 04:05 pm (UTC)