# Drunk Driving **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 12, 2011, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319 "2011-01-12T06:32:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/61 "2011-01-13T02:19:45Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > I can tell that you made those up off the top of your head, because someone with a 0.12% BAC would probably be slurring and staggering, and someone with a 0.19% BAC would be on the verge of passing out. > > It is unclear how any of these proposals benefit anyone except for habitual drunk drivers like the o.p. What is my motivation to give a good whore’s fuck about the problems of people who will not be responsible for their own behavior? > > Stranger well put, stranger. you should mosey on over to the IMHO poll about this and meet the poster who claims to have met people with a .48 BAC who properly and without assistance fill out hospital admission forms. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/62 "2011-01-13T03:00:35Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > So, in order to get rid of special interests who are making money off of the “game” of counseling, training, et cetera, we’re now going to set up a system of special interests who install, calibrate, and certify these systems, with the costs borne by all drivers. How is this a better solution than simply penalizing those who choose to drive drunk? Fist, I was speaking of the practicality of such a system, not whether it was or is the best idea; as I’ve said, it would no doubt be too expensive. As for why it or something else would be better than our present system, that would be because drunks tend to ignore the threat of punishment. It just isn’t working very well. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/63 "2011-01-13T03:31:08Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > What, then, would stop a habitual drunk driver from breaking the interlock and returning to the default “working” state? A judicial sentence upon third offense of having his eyes put out with red-hot pokers comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/64 "2011-01-13T03:45:18Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > A judicial sentence upon third offense of having his eyes put out with red-hot pokers comes to mind. And that’s going to make their driving improve? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/65 "2011-01-13T04:36:09Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > And that’s going to make their driving improve? Well, the second part of the penalty phase is hiding their car keys. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/66 "2011-01-13T05:21:14Z")
> [@Rumor\_Watkins](#): > > you should mosey on over to the IMHO poll about this and meet the poster who claims to have met people with a .48 BAC who properly and without assistance fill out hospital admission forms. Well, once I was hiking through the Southern Sierras and I met a sasquatch named José who offered me a hit off his bong which he promised was, “Good stuff, man, better than than Acapulco Gold.” I had to pass because I was trying to make Evolution Pass before nightful, but I swear it happened just like that, no shit. > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Fist, I was speaking of the practicality of such a system, not whether it was or is the best idea; as I’ve said, it would no doubt be too expensive. And unworkable, for the reason listed. > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > As for why it or something else would be better than our present system, that would be because drunks tend to ignore the threat of punishment. It just isn’t working very well. Well, yes. They’re drunks. When intoxicated, people do not demonstrate good judgment or rational behavior, a fact most of the rest of the developed world recognizes by penalizing DUI to a greater degree of severity than the o.p. is complaining about. Frankly, after his third DUI, he shouldn’t even have a license. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/67 "2011-01-13T05:45:34Z")
Here’s my idea, which also involves some R&D. People with a DUI are sentenced to an implant – some kind of pump which adds something to their system that makes them violently ill when they drink alcohol. So they can’t drink for a year. Second DUI, a pump loaded with 5 years worth of whatever it is (or perhaps sentenced to 5 annual reimplantations). Third conviction, pumps for a lifetime of inability to tolerate alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/68 "2011-01-13T05:50:33Z")
There are drugs that with effects like that (although you have to take them every day). They are sometimes used in treating alcoholism. I don’t think they’re very effective unless the person wants to quit drinking. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/69 "2011-01-13T06:41:24Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > And unworkable, for the reason listed. “Imperfect” isn’t the same as “unworkable”. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/70 "2011-01-13T06:44:32Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > “Imperfect” isn’t the same as “unworkable”. Un-fucking-workable, as in easily circumvented and prohibitively expensive to the overall public, the majority of whom seem to have no difficulty in remaining within the allowable BAC for operating a motor vehicle. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/71 "2011-01-13T07:06:49Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > There are drugs that with effects like that (although you have to take them every day). They are sometimes used in treating alcoholism. I don’t think they’re very effective unless the person wants to quit drinking. The R&D part is a better drug, administered by a pump put under the skin, so the convicted can’t avoid taking the drug. . ---
**Author:** ![martin34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@martin34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martin34)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/72 "2011-01-13T07:27:20Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > So, we have to invent a new technology, and maintain it fairly regularly, both at unknown cost, for what, exactly? This is all to prevent you and you buddies from driving drunk, because otherwise you are going to? > > Well, let’s just say this happens. It takes a while (2-3 years?) to develop the technology. It takes a while (5-10 years being generous) to write and pass legislation to force car makers to install it. Remember, we can’t even get Congress to enact reasonable mileage requirements. So it’s 7-10 years until the cars start appearing on the road, and 30-50 years until all the old cars without the technology are gone. > > And if the technology fails, or people find away around it, what do you propose be done with drunk drivers then? Martin It would be a static cost. Just like seat belts and air bags. I’m not saying have a third party monitor it like it’s being done for current offenders. I think seat belts and air bags might have been thought of the same way in the early stages. Like I said, people who tamper with them could be prosecuted harder. ---
**Author:** ![martin34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@martin34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martin34)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/73 "2011-01-13T07:28:59Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’m all for preventing DUIs, but I’d prefer not to be treated like a convicted criminal because other people don’t have the sense not to drink and drive. Martin You can drink and drive, just not over the legal limit. ---
**Author:** ![martin34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@martin34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martin34)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/74 "2011-01-13T07:31:17Z")
> [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](#): > > The technology referenced in the OP already exists. When I started my job we had a passive breath alcohol detector; I could put it on my desk and if the person sitting across from me had alcohol on his breath it would alert me. I haven’t seen it in years; I assume it broke and was not replaced; after a while my nose was sensitive enough that I didn’t need it anyway. > > I don’t think it would work very well in a car; in that confined space it would be set off by anyone in the car with alcohol on their breath. I have also had a lot of experience with traditional ignition interlock, and I can tell you that the number of ways people have figured out to get around them renders them largely pointless. (I probably shouldn’t go into those ways to get around them in a thread started by a habitual drunk driving offender.) Martin LOL. I likes. Was going to put this into the original post but if we can put a man on the moon we can figure this out. ---
**Author:** ![martin34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@martin34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martin34)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/75 "2011-01-13T07:33:41Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, griffin was correct… according to a contrarian report on a per-word basis that is only valid on January first. This is not factual but I think it was like '06 or '07 in Illinois. ---
**Author:** ![martin34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@martin34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martin34)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/76 "2011-01-13T07:35:48Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > What, then, would stop a habitual drunk driver from breaking the interlock and returning to the default “working” state? > > Stranger Martin The system sets off an SOS to the local 911 service. Cops don’t have a problem escorting people to the hospital. As Pat Foley would say, “I know from experience.” ---
**Author:** ![martin34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@martin34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martin34)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/77 "2011-01-13T07:38:02Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Hopefully that would be somewhat difficult to do without getting caught. Yes, I’m sure that some would pull it off, that’s close to inevitable. But no form of crime prevention/punishment is perfect. > > Or just that the interlock is broken; presumably one would have to be legally required on all cars or the vast majority of people wouldn’t bother to have one installed (that expense thing again). Martin I don’t expect retrofitting just like old cars don’t have airbags or seatbelts. Trying to look forward to the future. ---
**Author:** ![martin34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@martin34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martin34)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/78 "2011-01-13T07:40:42Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > So, in order to get rid of special interests who are making money off of the “game” of counseling, training, et cetera, we’re now going to set up a system of special interests who install, calibrate, and certify these systems, with the costs borne by all drivers. How is this a better solution than simply penalizing those who choose to drive drunk? > > I can tell that you made those up off the top of your head, because someone with a 0.12% BAC would probably be slurring and staggering, and someone with a 0.19% BAC would be on the verge of passing out. > > It is unclear how any of these proposals benefit anyone except for habitual drunk drivers like the o.p. What is my motivation to give a good whore’s fuck about the problems of people who will not be responsible for their own behavior? > > Stranger Martin to Stranger, I think there are more casualties to law abiders than DDRs. It’s for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![martin34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@martin34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martin34)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/79 "2011-01-13T07:44:38Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Here’s my idea, which also involves some R&D. People with a DUI are sentenced to an implant – some kind of pump which adds something to their system that makes them violently ill when they drink alcohol. So they can’t drink for a year. Second DUI, a pump loaded with 5 years worth of whatever it is (or perhaps sentenced to 5 annual reimplantations). Third conviction, pumps for a lifetime of inability to tolerate alcohol. Martin 1. It already exists. Called anitabuse. 2. If there were a DNA answer I’ll all for it. So far Dolly ain’t doin’ so well. ---
**Author:** ![martin34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@martin34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martin34)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319/80 "2011-01-13T07:49:47Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Well, once I was hiking through the Southern Sierras and I met a sasquatch named José who offered me a hit off his bong which he promised was, “Good stuff, man, better than than Acapulco Gold.” I had to pass because I was trying to make Evolution Pass before nightful, but I swear it happened just like that, no shit. > > And unworkable, for the reason listed. > > Well, yes. They’re drunks. When intoxicated, people do not demonstrate good judgment or rational behavior, a fact most of the rest of the developed world recognizes by penalizing DUI to a greater degree of severity than the o.p. is complaining about. Frankly, after his third DUI, he shouldn’t even have a license. > > Stranger I’m revoked. And you’re right I deserved it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drunk-driving/567319.md?page=5)