An appropriate punishment for drink-drivers, dangerous....

[Sothis]

What would make a suitable punishment for a drunk (or just plain dangerous) driver that kills or maims someone? I already think here in the UK that the law needs to be toughed up (there was a case recently where a banned driver killed an old lady whilst driving dangerous, he only got 5 years), and a friend from the US just an email with a picture of a victim of such a crash- a before and after photo, of this beautiful young woman, which chilled me to the bone- she survived, but.... well, it was distressing.

What do you folks think?

[Darth Wong]

What would make a suitable punishment for a drunk (or just plain dangerous) driver that kills or maims someone? I already think here in the UK that the law needs to be toughed up (there was a case recently where a banned driver killed an old lady whilst driving dangerous, he only got 5 years), and a friend from the US just an email with a picture of a victim of such a crash- a before and after photo, of this beautiful young woman, which chilled me to the bone- she survived, but.... well, it was distressing.

What do you folks think?

Classify drunk driving as "reckless endangerment" (that's the sort of criminal charge they slap on you if you're a gangbanger who drives through a residential neighbourhood and sprays houses with machine-gun fire), which carries penalties similar to murder.

Throw them in prison and take away their drivers' licenses for life. If you're not responsible enough to drive sober, you don't deserve to have a car.

[haas mark]

Would it be possible, though (after a VERY long time in jail and rehab), that they might be able to renew a license?

[Sothis]

What we do here (I work for the courts, so I have inside knowledge), is with an ordinary case of drink driving (OPL we call it), they lose their licence for at least a year, and have to apply to take a drink driving course. Sometimes they're denied the right to take this course. There's also a fine

A ban of at least 3 years would be better, and a £1'000 fine as standard. For killing someone- at least 10 years in jail, and no chance of getting your licence back.

[InnerBrat]

Classify drunk driving as "reckless endangerment" (that's the sort of criminal charge they slap on you if you're a gangbanger who drives through a residential neighbourhood and sprays houses with machine-gun fire), which carries penalties similar to murder.

Throw them in prison and take away their drivers' licenses for life. If you're not responsible enough to drive sober, you don't deserve to have a car.

I know this is OT, so I apologise, but that's the strangest use of the word 'gangbang' I've ever seen...

[XaLEv]

I know this is OT, so I apologise, but that's the strangest use of the word 'gangbang' I've ever seen...

That usage is common over here.

[haas mark]

I know this is OT, so I apologise, but that's the strangest use of the word 'gangbang' I've ever seen...

That usage is common over here.

There are a few *ahem* definitions of "gangbang"...

[Crayz9000]

I know this is OT, so I apologise, but that's the strangest use of the word 'gangbang' I've ever seen...

That would be the most common use of the word, if I recall. You've just got a dirty mind

[InnerBrat]

I know this is OT, so I apologise, but that's the strangest use of the word 'gangbang' I've ever seen...

That would be the most common use of the word, if I recall. You've just got a dirty mind

I do not!

OK, I do, but there's only one use fr it where I come from.

[Cyborg Stan]

I think I recall a case a few years back that actually had a repeat drunk-driver convicted of first-degree murder and getting life in prison. Another one that I can remember that included within the sentence spending a day in a crowded public area with a sign around his neck stating that he killed a person while driving drunk.

[Hethrir]

In Australia, drink drivers sometimes get off lighter than minor speeding offences. It's totally discusting.

[aerius]

Maim someone while driving drunk and you'll be spending a good long time in jail and you ain't getting your license back for at least 5 years after you get out of jail, if you're lucky. Kill someone and that's a 2nd degree murder charge, and you ain't getting your license back ever. Maim or kill someone while driving on a suspended license and I'll have you executed on the spot.

[Ted C]

I understand that in Germany, it's a very expensive pain in the ass to get a driver's license in the first place (required driver ed courses at your own expense and a VERY large licensing fee). If convicted of driving under the influence or driving recklessly, they take your license and you have to go through that whole process again, on top of fines, jail, and a period of years in which your not even allowed to try.

I think if it weren't so easy to get a driver's license in this country (the US), people would be a bit more careful to preserve the privilege.

[neoolong]

True, but there are many places where you pretty much have to have a car to get around. It makes it necessary to have a quick and easy way to get a license.

[aphexmonster]

They're developing a device ( it might even be done ) that consists of a straw type thing that requires you to blow into in order to start your car. Its not much, but its a step in the way of preventing drunk drivers. Three cheers for science!

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

Classify drunk driving as "reckless endangerment" (that's the sort of criminal charge they slap on you if you're a gangbanger who drives through a residential neighbourhood and sprays houses with machine-gun fire), which carries penalties similar to murder.

Throw them in prison and take away their drivers' licenses for life. If you're not responsible enough to drive sober, you don't deserve to have a car.

I know this is OT, so I apologise, but that's the strangest use of the word 'gangbang' I've ever seen...

Not at all uncommon for those of us living in North America. When one hears 'gangbanger' here, one is more apt to think of the idiot who thinks it's cool to 'tag' buildings with illegible grafitti and drive around and 'bust a cap' on some rival 'gangsta' so he can be 'dope' with his 'homies.'

[Utsanomiko]

Ha-ha! The Limeys and Aussies have funny names for drunk drivers.

Anywho, if I remember correctly, at least around the 70s-80s, driving while under the influence of any alchohol in El Salvadore was punishable with death by firing squad.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

They're developing a device ( it might even be done ) that consists of a straw type thing that requires you to blow into in order to start your car. Its not much, but its a step in the way of preventing drunk drivers. Three cheers for science! :P

Uh huh, like that'll stop a drunk who'll just borrow his compadres pickup if he really wants to go somewhere. (I live in New Mexico, drunk driving capital of the US of A.) A suitably serious punishment for drunk drivers would be to take away their license, and confiscate their car. And make it so that if they try to get a new car, that gets taken away too.

One might say "But it's cruel to deprive them of an car." I say, well, it's cruel to deprive some family of their life and livelyhood because some a--hole decides to get drunk and drive. Sure the high technology might work with a first-time offender. But I've seen stories of drunk drivers being arrested again, and again for DUI.

[phongn]

What would make a suitable punishment for a drunk (or just plain dangerous) driver that kills or maims someone? I already think here in the UK that the law needs to be toughed up (there was a case recently where a banned driver killed an old lady whilst driving dangerous, he only got 5 years), and a friend from the US just an email with a picture of a victim of such a crash- a before and after photo, of this beautiful young woman, which chilled me to the bone- she survived, but.... well, it was distressing.

Five years for DUI Manslaughter?

Here's Florida:
Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide-316.193 (3), F.S.

* DUI/Manslaughter: Second Degree Felony (not more than $10,000 fine and/or 15 years imprisonment).

* DUI Manslaughter/Leaving the Scene: A driver convicted of DUI Manslaughter who knew/should have known accident occurred; and failed to give information or render aid is guilty of a First Degree Felony (not more than $10,000 fine and/or 30 years imprisonment).

* Vehicular Homicide: Second Degree Felony (not more than $10,000 fine and/or 15 years imprisonment).

* Vehicular Homicide/Leaving the Scene: A driver convicted of vehicular homicide who left the scene of an accident is guilty of a First Degree Felony (nor more than $10,000 fine and/or 30 years imprisonment).

Driver License Revocation Periods for DUI-322.271, F.S. and 322.28,F.S.
E. DUI Manslaughter: Mandatory permanent revocation. If no prior DUI related convictions, may be eligible for hardship reinstatement after 5 years.

F. Manslaughter, DUI Serious Bodily Injury, or Vehicular Homicide Convictions: Minimum 3 year revocation. DUI Serious Bodily Injury having prior DUI conviction is same as "B-D" above.

[Graeme Dice]

They're developing a device ( it might even be done ) that consists of a straw type thing that requires you to blow into in order to start your car. Its not much, but its a step in the way of preventing drunk drivers. Three cheers for science!

Breathalyzer interlocks have been around for several years now.

[Dalton]

They're developing a device ( it might even be done ) that consists of a straw type thing that requires you to blow into in order to start your car. Its not much, but its a step in the way of preventing drunk drivers. Three cheers for science!

Breathalyzer interlocks have been around for several years now.

Those can be defeated if you know how to do it.

[Crayz9000]

Those can be defeated if you know how to do it.

Disconnect wires, hook up standard key in place. Start car with two keys.

[RedImperator]

They're developing a device ( it might even be done ) that consists of a straw type thing that requires you to blow into in order to start your car. Its not much, but its a step in the way of preventing drunk drivers. Three cheers for science!

Breathalyzer interlocks have been around for several years now.

And if I go heavy on the Listerine, my car won't start. We've already tried cars that won't start unless the driver's side seat belt is buckled in. They were about as popular as a plate of bacon in Mecca. The solution is better education and stiffer penalties, not making people blow into a straw to start their damn cars.

[Wicked Pilot]

Clear out all those jail cells of non violent drug offenders and fill them with drunk drivers. Hit those assholes with weeks, if not months behind bars for their first offense. For second offences, step up the penality even more.

[Einhander Sn0m4n]

Clear out all those jail cells of non violent drug offenders and fill them with drunk drivers. Hit those assholes with weeks, if not months behind bars for their first offense. For second offences, step up the penality even more.

Only thing is the DEA won't be having that. Fucking nazis.