The way this story is being reported is that MADD wants alcohol detection devices to be mandatory on any car used by any person convicted of any drunk driving offense. But sprinkled throughout these reports is something a little more sinister…
Boston Channel – November 20, 2006:
As the holiday season gets under way, there is a major effort to wipe out drunken driving in this country.
A new campaign calls for alcohol detection devices in every vehicle.
You have a few drinks, climb behind the wheel of your car, turn the key and — nothing. The engine doesn’t turn over, the car doesn’t move.
If Mothers Against Drunk Driving has its way, a device that checks a driver’s alcohol levels will be mandatory in cars owned by anyone ever convicted of drunk driving, and, eventually, every automobile.
ALCOHOL detectors may be fitted to all vehicles in the US after private and government experts agreed that the deterrence tactic used against drink-drivers for the past 20 years was no longer working.
I was nearly killed last summer by a head on collision with a drunken uninsured motorist on his 18th birthday. I was an avid jogger, now I walk with a limp. He got 1 month in jail (not prison), and since he has no money, hasn’t even paid my deductible. He has to use a in car breathalizer for 1 year. I commend MADD for pushing the issue. He should have to use an in car breathalyzer for as long as I’m handicapped (forever). That said, the rest of us responsible drivers don’t need nanny state devices.
I can’t drink booze.. I’m allergic to alcohol
#11 (SN)
No harm, no foul. Keep up the good posts.
How completely, completely weird that while reading this item I should receive a call from a fellow who happens to be a spokesperson for MADD (and once was injured beyond comprehension by a drunk driver).
So I was able to ask him directly about the blow device. He mentioned that the system is designed to have a thumb recognition device positioned exactly where it needs to be when the head is in position for the blow. But he admitted, it ain’t fool-proof. I began wondering why a driver over the limit couldn’t just use a can of compressed air or rubber bulb or plastic bag or a ready balloon of old air, etc. to foil the system. Maybe just the hassle.
But I think MADD is going to have to change its name to MAZOTUD – Mothers Against Zonked Out, Toked Up Drivers – eventually. Especially with countries like Canada considering legalization of marywana. And you’re all upset about deaths in Iraq? C’mon…
RBG
I’m too lazy to read this one, is it M.A.D.D like Dr. Claw?
Dr. Claw “I’ll get you next time Gadget! My new Dr. Claw Seatbelts will take care of you!”
Mad Cat ” Ke Ke Ke Ke”
As a disclaimer, I very seldom drink and am almost always the Designated driver.
#14, How sad. If you want to eat yourself to death or smoke until the cancer kills you then feel free. It’s your health. But when you sit behind the wheel of a car drunk then it is ALL of our business. I have lost three friends to drunk driving over the years and know several others that have been severely injured. Your right to being an asshole does not extend to hurting others.
Jail should be mandatory for drunk driving. License suspensions should be at least a minimum of 1 year for the first offense, 5 years for the second, and 10 years for a third. I’ll leave it up to Colorado or the Virgin Islands whether being an asshole should be punished as a felony or a misdemeanor.
This is an attempt to limit drunk driving and I’m all for it.
MADD has lost there credibility with me. If they pursued these issues w/the habitual, and completely tanked up drunks who truly are a menace to us all I’d agree with them…… but if those zealots had there way you wouldn’t be allowed to drink at all.
My guess is, one DUI and they’d never let you drive again if they had there way. And, no, I have never had one. I drink, I drive,…. I use my brain to know when I can and when I cannot.
There’s has to be a middle ground people between responsible consumption and wacked out craziness. When they get to a place where they are pursuing the latter and NOT the former I’ll support them.
Until then, they are just a bunch of crazies themselves. Like most of the right-wing bible-thumpers.
*their credibility….. and I forgot a good hyperlink:
http://www.getmadd.com/
Definition of a police state:
The police stop acting as your protectors and start acting like your prison guards.
Not one more inch. Stop this insanity now.
You know, I’ ve never heard of a fatal car accident caused by marijuana?
I take it you also support checkpoints for sobriety checks? And also searching cars for drugs and illegal cigarettes?
If a drunk driver injures or kills someone, they get demonized..
If a sober driver injures or kills someone it is generally deemed to be an accident.. I’ve personally never understood this logic.
If sober drivers were driving within the rules and paying complete attention.. Will they never have an accident?
Although, I do agree, that if you hurt anyone while driving drunk that should be you last go at it..
But above all.. The crime shouldn’t be driving drunk.. It should be causeing others injury while driving..
Most accidents aren’t caused by drunk drivers.
MADD isn’t going to be happy until the legal limit for alcohol is 0.00%.
They’ve already been given that inch. That’s pretty damn obvious.
32 that may be true but when you purposely impair yourself before driving that is why you get demonized. You can screw up when you’re sober but if your plastered and you choose to get behind the wheel, thats essentially premeditation.
#25 Mr. shortFusion… good post on #14, exactly what I wanted to say but I liked your flare on this one. It also applies to tallwookie #19 who apparently needs some growing up to do.
#30
Maybe not a car accident, but marijuana was a contributing factor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chase,_Maryland_rail_wreck
According to Wikipedia:
Engineer Gates later admitted that he and Edward Cromwell had been smoking marijuana and had overlooked the necessary safety precautions. Gates was eventually charged with homicide by motor vehicle, a statute in Maryland that specifies locomotives as motor vehicles.
that’s the arguement.. and like most arugments.. it is flawed
you’re assuming everyone that causes damage while driving over.08 premeditated it or did it purposely…
If someone is doing that.. lock em up/take away their liscense.. whatever
But when it’s an accident.. the scapegoat shows up as.. They had alcohol in their system..
I just think there’s more to it than that..
How foolproof are these devices anyway? Would something like using a can of air to blow in the hole work? Even if it didn’t, it wouldn’t be hard to find the person who just came to the bar to blow into the thing for you for $20 or something.
#37, Chris
It’s a fact that alcohol reduces your reaction ability and response time. It is also widely known, and also part of the driver test in all jurisdictions, that you will be responsible if you drink and drive. Drivers that have been drinking may not be the primary cause of the accident, but their diminished ability to avoid the situation may be a contributing cause and even increase the severity of the collision.
Again, your right to be stupid does not extend to sharing the consequences of that stupidity with other innocent people.
MY reaction?
Where is this test.. and how soon can i take it…