If i ever meet this bastard

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-07-29 09:19pm

Whiny kids always shout "ageism" when people in their 20s and 30s disparage their ability to drive, but if a 16 year old isn't responsible enough to vote or drink, he shouldn't fucking have possession of a 3000 lb guided missile.

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2003-07-29 10:29pm

Stuff like this just makes me sick. I should point out, though, that a driver who's speeding isn't necessarily more dangerous than one who isn't. I've been known to double the speed limit, but only when I knew it wasn't dangerous (dangerous meaning heavy traffic, narrow street where a person or car can wander out without warning, situation where someone going much slower can turn into my lane, etc.) and I always kept my senses hyper-alert, planning in advance that if I misjudged and someone did pull in front of my going half my speed, I'd drive my own car off the road and into a solid object before I'd harm another person. If it was a situation where I couldn't do that, I slow down. I consider myself to be the safest driver I know, and to this day I haven't caused or nearly caused an accident. The problem is that most (read: virtually all) people who are willing to risk a ticket and break the speed limit are also willing to endanger the lives of others.

Hyperion · Post by **Hyperion** » 2003-07-29 10:34pm

Well said, even though most are driving vehicles of 2000 pounds or less, since most drive small imports.

The ones that scare me are the <18 teenagers driving Chevy Novas and Ford F-250's, nevermind some of the other old or excessively large vehicles a lot of them tend to drive. Most of them don't have the experience or skill to handle even a small vehicle, nevermind a 3-ton+ vehicle with a V8 or larger engine with a hell of a lot more power and weight than an import with a 4-cylinder engine and made out of plastic.

Personally I think that if you are less than 18 and trying to drive you should have speed limiters in your car (tough shit if you are capped at 65 and you're being passed by people doing 75+) and limited to a vehicle of 2500 pounds or less. (read: Geo Metro or CRX) They can still do a shitload of damage, especially in a city, but they are certainly going to be less of a hazard than those like the idiot that hit darthdavid's friend's family.

Hell, even I have considered having a friend who works at a dealership recode my car's computer to cap me at 70. Not only does it lower your insurance rates in most cases, but it prevents the "human fun factor" that even the smartest and most responsible of us are prone to. Mind you, I am 20 at the end of August.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-07-29 11:02pm

Stravo's the law expert here, plus he lives in NY, but this is what I found after a quick search. If he's tried as an adult, he can be charged with...

NYPC 125.12: Vehicular manslaughter in the second degree (Class D Felony)
NYPC 120.03: Vehicular assault in the second degree (Class E Felony)

(NYPC = New York Penal Code)

Darth Yoshi · Post by **Darth Yoshi** » 2003-07-30 02:53pm

Shit. No one should have to outlive his own child. What the hell was the kid doing anyway?

Straha · Post by **Straha** » 2003-07-30 06:28pm

phongn wrote:Stravo's the law expert here, plus he lives in NY, but this is what I found after a quick search. If he's tried as an adult, he can be charged with...

NYPC 125.12: Vehicular manslaughter in the second degree (Class D Felony)
NYPC 120.03: Vehicular assault in the second degree (Class E Felony)

(NYPC = New York Penal Code)

I was under the impression that it could be first degree if he knew that actions he took could logically lead up to the death of someone (i.e. driving when he wasn't supposed to), but I don't have my copy of the Penal code infront of me (I put it on my bookshelf and haven't found it again yet, though I do have NYCPL infront of me.) The bad news is that he can be tried as a youthful offender unless he has commited a serious felony before.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-07-30 07:23pm

1st degree apparently requires this:

(2) commits such crime while knowing or having reason to know that: (a) his license or his privilege of operating a motor vehicle in another state or his privilege of obtaining a license to operate a motor vehicle in another state is suspended or revoked and such suspension or revocation is based upon a conviction in such other state for an offense which would, if committed in this state, constitute a violation of any of the provisions of section eleven hundred ninety-two of the vehicle and traffic law; or (b) his license or his privilege of operating a motor vehicle in the state or his privilege of obtaining a license issued by the commissioner of motor vehicles is suspended or revoked and such suspension or revocation is based upon either a refusal to submit to a chemical test pursuant to section eleven hundred ninety-four of the vehicle and traffic law or following a conviction for a violation of any of the provisions of section eleven hundred ninety-two of the vehicle and traffic law.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2003-07-31 01:27am

That's sad news. I say the guy who hit them should never be allowed to drive again, as well as getting appropriate jailtime.

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2003-07-31 05:27am

Shit like that is why I'm an anxious learner driver. The last thing ANYONE should be able to do is be 17 and think they know it all and can drive great and not get a speeding ticket and not get done for drink driving and not hit and kill someone and then when they do it's all "woo, I'm really sorry, your stationary car just jumped out in front of me, it's tottaly your fault" and then get off with man slaughter. Three words describe the punishment for moronic boy racers like that "Clink, Buzz, Sizzle".
Something along the same lines happened to my sis's best friend last year, he was in a car with some guy and the guy was driving and showing off, ended up crashing into another car and killing himself and putting my sis's mate into a critical condition and broke his pelvise, he still can't walk straigh now.