should drink drivers be banned

[becks75]

Its a disgrace that people get away with murdering people through drink driving.
But with all this prison overcrowding, people are getting away with all sorts.

Its just proves this country is in decline, you have only got to read the news these day, it turns your stomach

[yorkiesauctions]

Convicted drink drivers should be banned and give custodial sentences relating to their crime. My sister lost her fiance when a drunk driver overtook on a country road and hit him head on ( my sisters bf was on a motorbike). In my view the killer should have been given a sentence for manslaugher, i believe he got off with a fine and a short ban

I agree with the above. There are few valid excuses for driving while under the influence and the punishment needs to be more harsh than it is at the moment.

Slightly off topic but sort of related to this subject.... On the estate where I grew up it was common for blokes to run people down with their car instead of beating them up because they knew that if they were caught the punishment would be a lot less for a "driving offence" compared to the punishment for beating or stabbing someone. Surely that can't be right?

[dragonmist]

Trouble is that, though drink drivers, speeders etc. get a driving ban, many are out on the road in a different car within days. A certain butcher I used to know got a drink driving ban of 3 years. He bought another car in his wife's name and sold the one that had his marker on it. He would either have to be picked up driving by a policeman that knew he was banned, or be caught drink driving again. After 2 years he applied to have his licence restored, and got it back. He was an alcoholic, and continued to drink drive throughout his ban and after having his licence restored. He hit the Central Reservation on a motorway and died instantly. Blood alcohol level way over the limit. He had drunk 7 pints of bitter and 7 whisky chasers. Luckily he never killed anyone, but I don't think he would have cared. The "need" for a drink overruled his conscience every time.

[slinkyri]

drink driving is obviously a serious issue

Anybody who drinks and drives has no morals or concern for any other human beings

I hear people say to me Oh it's ok I know the way blindfolded and I've only had a couple just no thought for any children or animals who might suddenly walk into their path. Just not thinking about how slow their reflexes would be to avoid this.

[kengillam]

Whhat about those that also flout the Mobile phone law, just a s bad not in proper conttrol of the vehicle, the roads these days are no place to have your concentration impaired by either alcohol or a B*****y phone.

[silkcityuk2]

Its a disgrace that people get away with murdering people through drink driving.
But with all this prison overcrowding, people are getting away with all sorts.

Its just proves this country is in decline, you have only got to read the news these day, it turns your stomach

cannot agree with this, they do not set out to kill anybody so it cannot be classed as murder

yes there should be a blanket ban on drinking
if you have 1 drink dont drive........
differant people react to drink differantly so 2 might be ok for mickey mouse.
but joe bloggs could be over limit drinking the same amount as mickey ( if you get my meaning)

[slinkyri]

cannot agree with this, they do not set out to kill anybody so it cannot be classed as murder

yes there should be a blanket ban on drinking
if you have 1 drink dont drive........
differant people react to drink differantly so 2 might be ok for mickey mouse.
but joe bloggs could be over limit drinking the same amount as mickey ( if you get my meaning)

yep hun Mickey's got a stronger constitution



ask Minnie

[becks75]

OK not murder, wrong word, i think manslaughter was the word i was looking for,lol!

We all know that there are many things to impair our judgement, and it isn't just alcohol. But when people decide to get behind the wheel knowing this deserves a hefty sentence imho.

Ken is right, there are so many who drive whilst being on the phone and this really cheeses me off as surely any phone call can wait a few minutes whilst you pull over.

[damian_steele]

Seems that the majority want an absolute blanket result with no room for consideration of the circumstances. Hardly a surprise there. Good job you lot aren't judges, isn't it?

A mate of mine lives well out into the sticks. There's nothing round his place for almost twenty miles. Nearest hospital is something like 35 miles. Two years ago his little girl fell off a wall and gashed her leg open quite deeply. She was pouring with blood. He'd already had a couple of cans of beer and was technically over the limit. Should he:

1. Have waited for around 30 - 45 minutes for the ambulance to arrive then subjected his girl to the long ride back to the hospital and possibly have her die.

2. Have tried to deal with this quite serious medical emergency with a couple of tea towels, some gaffer tape and a few days in bed, then probably have her die from infection.

3. Taken the risk and driven her straight to the hospital, thereby probably saving her life?

According to most of you lot he should not have done number 3 or he would then be breaking the law and immediately sentenced to a year in prison (minimum).

So, sometimes there is an excuse for drink driving and a blanket ruling regardless of circumstances is a bad idea.

[becks75]

Seems that the majority want an absolute blanket result with no room for consideration of the circumstances. Hardly a surprise there. Good job you lot aren't judges, isn't it?

A mate of mine lives well out into the sticks. There's nothing round his place for almost twenty miles. Nearest hospital is something like 35 miles. Two years ago his little girl fell off a wall and gashed her leg open quite deeply. She was pouring with blood. He'd already had a couple of cans of beer and was technically over the limit. Should he:

1. Have waited for around 30 - 45 minutes for the ambulance to arrive then subjected his girl to the long ride back to the hospital and possibly have her die.

2. Have tried to deal with this quite serious medical emergency with a couple of tea towels, some gaffer tape and a few days in bed, then probably have her die from infection.

3. Taken the risk and driven her straight to the hospital, thereby probably saving her life?

According to most of you lot he should not have done number 3 or he would then be breaking the law and immediately sentenced to a year in prison (minimum).

So, sometimes there is an excuse for drink driving and a blanket ruling regardless of circumstances is a bad idea.

I can understand what you are saying. And as a parent that is a difficult decision to make.
But on the way to the hospital he could have run someone over or crashed the car and killed his daughter, because he was over the limit at the end of the day, and wasn't safe to drive