Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Megusic · 02-21-2003, 01:25 AM

arrrg. tonite one of my friends was upset w/ me for not going to pick him up so he could go downtown to the bars w/ us. I explained to him that at the time I had already had 7 beers and was in no shape to drive, even just a few minutes. He responded, basically, "so what? everyone drives drunk"

this has made me so upset. i know only a few people who have killed themselves, been killed, or killed others while under the influence, and more who have gotten underage DUI's and this is more than enough to convince me that "drinking and driving don't mix", i just don't see how people dont' get the picture. this honestly set me into a mini-breakdown tonite, in such a situation, ignorance really does kill people. when will people learn??

Shivershot · 02-21-2003, 01:41 AM

We're a nation in search of the next convenience, so it doesn't suprise me that our culture doesn't promote "doing the right thing" and taking a cab or convincing a sober friend to take you home.

Horrible things that happen are "other" people's problems... Consequences? What are those...

Boro Nut · 02-21-2003, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Megusic
I had already had 7 beers and was in no shape to drive, even just a few minutes.

I think it comes down to a question of personal perspective. You may take that stance, and fair dues to you. But I usually plump for the car option, if I think I'm in no fit state to walk home.

Boro Nut

Godless Dave · 02-21-2003, 04:37 AM

Ask your friend is he would be willing to drive you around for the six months or a year your license would be suspended, pay for you to get it reinstated, and pay the astronomically higher auto insurance premiums you would be hit with for the next five or ten years if you got a DUI.

And that's assuming you didn't kill anybody.

Oxymoron · 02-21-2003, 05:03 AM

Would people support life imprisonment (manslaughter/murder 2) for killing a pedestrian or other whilst drink driving? I think I would.

Manta · 02-21-2003, 05:47 AM

Driving whilst intoxicated is a big reason I left the -ex. He just didn't *GET* it...and after his mother was crippled...by a drunk driver in a pickup truck (about 18 years ago)...

That wasn't the ONLY reason, but it was a big one.

Kudos to you for refusing. :notworthy

On all those nights I go hang out with the local hockey players, my limit is 2 or 3 beverages (beer or Bacardi Silver - only liquor if *I* am being driven) - and always I quit well before any of them is ready to get driven home...which is usually after 5AM

The bartenders think I need new kidneys from all the Coke I drink

-k

Scotty · 02-21-2003, 06:11 AM

"Everyone drives drunk"
"I'm not everyone."

Good for you. That isn't a peer you want as a friend.

-Scott

Shadowy Man · 02-21-2003, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shivershot
We're a nation in search of the next convenience, so it doesn't suprise me that our culture doesn't promote "doing the right thing" and taking a cab or convincing a sober friend to take you home.

What do you mean? I see beer commercials all the time telling me to drink responsibly.

MJones · 02-21-2003, 07:06 AM

Whenever I get drunk or even slightly buzzed, my wife won't let me drive. I no better anyway. I'm glad she does that. I just wish she wouldn't take away my keys. I'm not going anywhere, but I feel strange walking around without them.

Dirty Dog

Ronin · 02-21-2003, 07:57 AM

Ten years ago, this May, I drove up on a scene where a man had driven his truck into an 18 year old who had been riding a motorcycle.

Witnesses were still exiting their cars, so I had just missed the actual event.

The motorcycle had glanced off the truck, which sent it directly into a nearby telephone pole and then into the front yard of a residence. The truck left the scene after stopping only briefly.

I ran to the downed driver, who was convulsing. I held his head in my hands and, though it is hard to explain in words, could tell from his eyes that he was fighting to understand what was happening to his body which was beyond his control.

A witness, crying hysterically, gave me the suspect's truck tag and last known direction of travel. I relayed this to Jordan from my shoulder Mic, while doing my best to keep the victim still.

Yellow foam began streaming out of the young man's mouth and I caught myself staring at his right leg which had nearly been severed after he struck the pole.

My medical training was useless, my commission was useless, my guns were useless, and my words were useless.

EMT's arrived to prep the victim for transport, just as Jordan confirmed that he was in pursuit of the truck. In a matter of minutes, the suspect had arrived at his house and was arrested, reeking of intoxicants.

Later BAC analysis revealed that he was a .13%, just over the legal limit.

After the report was completed, the following was determined ~

The suspect's apartment was on the same block as the bar and he had fought passed two employees, who had already called him a cab, despite their good intentions.

He then entered his truck and was going to get some cigarettes before heading home, when he ran a stop sign and struck the motorcycle.

He stopped long enough to see what had happened and say "Fuck this" before going on his way.

Roy's ribcage was shattered so badly that I could only make out maybe five or six pieces, from the x-ray that the doctor showed me, that actually resembled bone.

He had two dollars in his wallet and had last eaten a frito chile pie. He kept three pictures on him, his graduation photo, his baby sister and a pretty girl that wrote "Luv4ever" to him.

It took three years to convict the truck driver who is now serving 18 years in jail. Prior to his trial, he was arrested in Louisiana for D.U.I.

The thing that stands out in my mind the most, even now, is the vast area of grassy field surrounding the telephone pole that he had struck against high odds.....no gods, no angels.

~~~~~~~~~

That was my first one.

Since then, there have been many more and may even be one tonight.

The youngest fatality I've seen was four years old.

...none of those arrested thought it would happen.

~~~~~~~~~

Thanks, Megusic, I had hoped that you were out there.

02-21-2003, 01:25 AM	#1
Megusic Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: OH Posts: 1,292	drunk driving arrrg. tonite one of my friends was upset w/ me for not going to pick him up so he could go downtown to the bars w/ us. I explained to him that at the time I had already had 7 beers and was in no shape to drive, even just a few minutes. He responded, basically, "so what? everyone drives drunk" this has made me so upset. i know only a few people who have killed themselves, been killed, or killed others while under the influence, and more who have gotten underage DUI's and this is more than enough to convince me that "drinking and driving don't mix", i just don't see how people dont' get the picture. this honestly set me into a mini-breakdown tonite, in such a situation, ignorance really does kill people. when will people learn??

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02-21-2003, 01:41 AM	#2
Shivershot Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 28	We're a nation in search of the next convenience, so it doesn't suprise me that our culture doesn't promote "doing the right thing" and taking a cab or convincing a sober friend to take you home. Horrible things that happen are "other" people's problems... Consequences? What are those...

02-21-2003, 04:37 AM	#4
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	Ask your friend is he would be willing to drive you around for the six months or a year your license would be suspended, pay for you to get it reinstated, and pay the astronomically higher auto insurance premiums you would be hit with for the next five or ten years if you got a DUI. And that's assuming you didn't kill anybody.

02-21-2003, 05:03 AM	#5
Oxymoron Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: http://10.0.0.2/ Posts: 6,623	Would people support life imprisonment (manslaughter/murder 2) for killing a pedestrian or other whilst drink driving? I think I would.

02-21-2003, 05:47 AM	#6
Manta Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St Somewhere Posts: 352	Driving whilst intoxicated is a big reason I left the -ex. He just didn't GET it...and after his mother was crippled...by a drunk driver in a pickup truck (about 18 years ago)... That wasn't the ONLY reason, but it was a big one. Kudos to you for refusing. :notworthy On all those nights I go hang out with the local hockey players, my limit is 2 or 3 beverages (beer or Bacardi Silver - only liquor if I am being driven) - and always I quit well before any of them is ready to get driven home...which is usually after 5AM The bartenders think I need new kidneys from all the Coke I drink -k

02-21-2003, 06:11 AM	#7
Scotty Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: OutBound Posts: 804	"Everyone drives drunk" "I'm not everyone." Good for you. That isn't a peer you want as a friend. -Scott

02-21-2003, 07:06 AM	#9
MJones Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Lincoln, AL Posts: 1,048	Whenever I get drunk or even slightly buzzed, my wife won't let me drive. I no better anyway. I'm glad she does that. I just wish she wouldn't take away my keys. I'm not going anywhere, but I feel strange walking around without them. Dirty Dog

02-21-2003, 07:57 AM	#10
Ronin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 5,047	Ten years ago, this May, I drove up on a scene where a man had driven his truck into an 18 year old who had been riding a motorcycle. Witnesses were still exiting their cars, so I had just missed the actual event. The motorcycle had glanced off the truck, which sent it directly into a nearby telephone pole and then into the front yard of a residence. The truck left the scene after stopping only briefly. I ran to the downed driver, who was convulsing. I held his head in my hands and, though it is hard to explain in words, could tell from his eyes that he was fighting to understand what was happening to his body which was beyond his control. A witness, crying hysterically, gave me the suspect's truck tag and last known direction of travel. I relayed this to Jordan from my shoulder Mic, while doing my best to keep the victim still. Yellow foam began streaming out of the young man's mouth and I caught myself staring at his right leg which had nearly been severed after he struck the pole. My medical training was useless, my commission was useless, my guns were useless, and my words were useless. EMT's arrived to prep the victim for transport, just as Jordan confirmed that he was in pursuit of the truck. In a matter of minutes, the suspect had arrived at his house and was arrested, reeking of intoxicants. Later BAC analysis revealed that he was a .13%, just over the legal limit. After the report was completed, the following was determined ~ The suspect's apartment was on the same block as the bar and he had fought passed two employees, who had already called him a cab, despite their good intentions. He then entered his truck and was going to get some cigarettes before heading home, when he ran a stop sign and struck the motorcycle. He stopped long enough to see what had happened and say "Fuck this" before going on his way. Roy's ribcage was shattered so badly that I could only make out maybe five or six pieces, from the x-ray that the doctor showed me, that actually resembled bone. He had two dollars in his wallet and had last eaten a frito chile pie. He kept three pictures on him, his graduation photo, his baby sister and a pretty girl that wrote "Luv4ever" to him. It took three years to convict the truck driver who is now serving 18 years in jail. Prior to his trial, he was arrested in Louisiana for D.U.I. The thing that stands out in my mind the most, even now, is the vast area of grassy field surrounding the telephone pole that he had struck against high odds.....no gods, no angels. ~~~~~~~~~ That was my first one. Since then, there have been many more and may even be one tonight. The youngest fatality I've seen was four years old. ...none of those arrested thought it would happen. ~~~~~~~~~ Thanks, Megusic, I had hoped that you were out there.

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