Drink Driving Rules
The Increase In Drink Driving Offences Over The Christmas Period Author: Jamie Lyons It has come to be an unfortunate fact of life that instances of drink driving offences increase dramatically over the Christmas period. Whether it's due to a higher number of people heading out for a seasonal ...
The Increase In Drink Driving Offences Over The Christmas Period
Author: Jamie Lyons
It has come to be an unfortunate fact of life that instances of drink driving offences increase dramatically over the Christmas period. Whether it's due to a higher number of people heading out for a seasonal drink or two with friends and not fully considering their blood alcohol content before jumping in the car and heading home, or simply that there are more police on patrol to catch drink drivers- the end result is the same: a serious hazard.
Over the past few years governments have spent a great deal of money highlighting the dangers of drink driving over the course of the festive period. In recent years they have commissioned a series of harrowing television adverts which served as a stark and pertinent reminder of the danger of driving under the influence of alcohol. This year however, as a consequence of budget cuts; advertising campaigns are not a viable option, which has lead to concern as to both the government's sense of priorities (in launching a huge campaign against binge drinking whilst seemingly ignoring drink driving) and also the potential consequences of not specifically highlighting the dangers of drink driving over the Christmas period.
It is nigh on impossible to accurately assess the extent of the correlation between money spent on advertising campaigns targeting drink driving and the resultant reduction in offences. Common sense would however imply that given the impact and resonance of previous television campaigns- a correlation does exist, and failure to continue this means of preventative action could be costly. We are however autonomous creatures with our own ability to make a judgement. In order to earn the write to drive, as well as grasping the more technical and hands-on aspects of handling a car, you have to demonstrate good judgement and an ability to abide by the laws of the road. In addition to these demonstrable skills you must possess full knowledge of the rules and regulations which pertain to driving - the illegality of drink driving is amongst this body of requirements. As such, every driver is aware of the dangers of drink driving and shouldn't need to be reminded of the risks and threat to health and safety by a media campaign.
The penalties for drink driving are severe, and with good reason. For the sake of drivers, passengers, pedestrians and anyone who cares about any of these individuals, nobody should even consider driving under the influence of alcohol. Without any doubt though, some people will and the consequences can and very often will be disastrous.
In January 1966 the new Road Safety Bill was introduced. It set a limit of 80mg of alcohol in 100cc of blood and it became an offense to drive when over this limit…
In 1967 the breathalyser was introduced as a way of testing a person’s blood alcohol level.
Why shouldn’t drinking and driving rules be stricter?
I have a debate and I need to have a few points on why drinking and driving penalties shouldn’t be any stricter than they are.
Your help is appreciated!
when was the drink driving rule introduced in northern ireland?
Depending on where you live, what state the law varies. So knowing your state would help. In general one would lobby for stricter penalties on DUI & DWI offenses, because in some states they are pretty weak. In all states one would lobby for stricter penalties for repeat offenders. The obvious reason is the whatever punishment or rehabilitation ordered to a defendant of DUI or DWI that was found guilty didn’t work, and did not deter a repeat offense. In all criminal actions or any type a second, third and so on offense of the same crime the penalty stiffens. The problem is that often DUI & DWI are handled through drug court type courts, where it is common place to plea bargain, for a reduced penalty. Drug courts tend to favor assesment and rehabilitation, as it is more cost effective. The guilty party pays for the assessments and rehabilitation, as well as a fine to the court. Its cheaper than jailing them. Sometimes people just make a mistake, and a fine, some probation or community service is enough to wake them up, and avoid reapeat offenses. Sometimes it isn’t. When it isn’t you get repeat offenders and the penalty stiffens. It also depends on what was involved, did they harm property or persons, was it civil property or personal, what extent were the injuries to the injured party, was it fatal. The charges would of course change depending on those factors, from destruction of property as secondary charge, to as much as manslaughter or even murder depending on the circumstances. It is also common on first offenders to waive traffic violations in the pleas baragain and act only on the DUI or DWI at the recommendation of the prosecuting DA, as it was worked out with the defense attorney. Some people would argue that one offense is too many, and say that if no one was hurt that was luck, a dodged bullet, so the penalty on first time offenders should be stiffened. Again its mostly about money, courts tend to give people one pass, with just a steep fine , attorney cost, possible probation, assesment and AA classes. This is done to keep the burden on the public of paying for incarcerated individuals for this crime to a minimum, and because so people do learn from their first mistake. Repeat offenders are dealt with more harshly as they progress in repeat offenses. The fact that Alcohol is readily available does not help, it tends to soften courts on first time offenders, because it is such an accepted legal recreational drug. The short of it is money, politics, and the dispostion of the area.
Are your rules for drinking and driving the same whether or not kids are in the car with you?
For instance, will you drive after a drink or 2 if you are alone…but not if the kids are with you? Or are your rules the same regardless?
People are stupid. We can’t blame bartenders though. It’s not their job to determine if someone has had too much to drink to be able to drive. We can’t hold them responsible for the actions of others. That’s what police are for. Unfortunately there are so many stupid people who drink and then drive. Personally I think if you’re caught DUI then your license should be immediately suspended. There should be zero tolerance for drink driving.
Does anyone listen to the rules don’t drink and drive & don’t talk on the phone while your driving?
what’s the point of the law? nobody follows the rules about STEELING and AND TALKING ON THE PHONE WHILE DRIVING and the law don’t DRINK AND DRIVE do any of you follow these rules?
Yes I follow these laws – they’re put there for our safety. People drink and drive, wrap their car round a tree and expect sympathy ‘cos they’re hurt!? Tell someone else who cares – the emergency services should be able to be diverted from cases like this for people who are in trouble and deserve their help. Harsh I know, but people who flout these laws are asking for trouble.
What causes people to disobey one of the main rules of driving?
What is it that causes people to drink and drive? And even more… Why don’t the bartenders just take the keys as soon as you walk in the door? Why must they just serve them over and over? My vehicle was wrecked earlier this week because of a drunk driver… Why must they do this?
I know I am lucky that it wasn’t me… In fact… No one got hurt because of him… But he caused a lot of Damage… And tore up a porch that someone built themselves… And it wa a nice thick one too…
I guess I am the only one that will fess up. I have will not drink if I have the kids with me, but I have been known to drive after a drink or two. The law here is 1 drink an hour.