# I loathe Hit and Run drivers **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 7, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332 "2013-03-07T23:38:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/1 "2013-03-07T23:38:00Z")
I despise drunk drivers and the immeasurable damage and destruction they cause to families and communities. In my kingdom, any DUI offender who injures another person would get the electric chair. Not the good one, but the old one with some loose contacts that sparks and requires about 4 or 5 attempts to succeed. I would probably add some enhanced interrogation techniques to those who run someone down, leave the scene, and upon hearing this person’s condition - do nothing. [This piece of dogshit](http://www.wsbradio.com/news/news/suspect-arrested-athens-hit-and-run/nWjsN/)drove off the road, hit a teenaged girl, and left her to die. She is still in a coma. This happened 3 weeks ago, and little William has been hiding at home after abandoning his truck full of empty beer cans near the scene. That mugshot? That’s not from today. That’s from one of his many previous alcohol-related arrests. But it’s ok for him to drive around still, right? Here’s the bestest part: His mom says this today… ““Wilson and his father and I are all committed to the truth, and we have been from day one. We have communicated that again and again, and Wilson is fully prepared to take responsibility,” said Tara Heaton.” Yep, mom and dad have known all along, but never said a word. The investigation was delayed by someone tampering with evidence, but little Willy and family are all committed to the truth, doncha know. Yes, the Heaton family is so empathetic to the Bowman family, because, you see, their daughter suffered a traumatic brain injury too. You see? They know just how the Bowmans feel. :rolleyes: I hereby pit William Wilson Heaton, selfish, drunk-driving asshole for his actions, his parents for doing absolutely nothing to hold him responsible until forced by legal action to do so, and our justice system that continually releases repeat offenders who are a clear and present danger to our communities, even though we suffer from their decisions time and time again. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/2 "2013-03-08T00:42:44Z")
I’m on board with this rant. > [@ducati](#): > > In my kingdom, any DUI offender who injures > another person would get the electric chair. Not > the good one, but the old one with some loose > contacts that sparks and requires about 4 or 5 > attempts to succeed. Hell, don’t wet the sponge so they fry up extra crispy like that one convict in “The Green Mile.” ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/3 "2013-03-08T01:10:14Z")
I['m so up for this rant. Can we include people who don’t even notice that they have hit a biker because they are so distracted. Driving a couple of tons of steel should be taken seriously. Distracted drivers are almost as bad as drunks. [Meth heads who take kill people](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/16/michael-jakscht-killed-4-cyclists_n_2146994.html) are given a pass by the legal system as well. If you choose to drive impaired and then kill someone, I think you should die right away. If you run someone over and then run away, you should be put in front of a car, ran down and left to die. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/4 "2013-03-08T01:54:24Z")
This is going to be a really short thread, just a few people chiming in to agree. Maybe throw in a few more [examples and articles](http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-03-24/news/fl-dui-worst-offenders-20120323_1_dui-arrests-dui-convictions-third-dui-offense). But what are we talkin’, 20 posts over two days max? Because everyone’s just going to agree… Unless… paging _ **Bricker**!_ ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/5 "2013-03-08T02:31:17Z")
In post #4 of [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=628218) thread (post 4), I mentioned how I reduced a drunk driver to homelessness (via the legal system). What was surprising were the people _on this board_ who condemned me for this, citing how evil I was for my meanness to a contributing fellow citizen. Check out post 30, and 57 for more detail (if you’re interested). To be fair, the majority on the board defended me. Short version: I don’t like drunk drivers either. One of them found this out the hard way. ---
**Author:** ![Pacific420](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Pacific420](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pacific420)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/6 "2013-03-08T02:54:51Z")
I abhor drunk driving as well. Recently a bar or bars in BC were heavily criticised for tweeting the locations of RCMP road checks, it’s odd though because here in BC it’s common for radio stations to bcst the locations of speed traps which I think is B.S. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/7 "2013-03-08T03:01:57Z")
> [@Pacific420](#): > > I abhor _drunk_ driving as well. (My italics) Hmm. But do you abhor…Ahh, nm. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/8 "2013-03-08T04:48:20Z")
If you want to kill someone and basically get away with it, get drunk and use your car. I don’t understand why the laws are this way, but they are, and it’s wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/9 "2013-03-08T05:14:16Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > In post #4 of [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=628218) thread (post 4), I mentioned how I reduced a drunk driver to homelessness (via the legal system). What was surprising were the people _on this board_ who condemned me for this, citing how evil I was for my meanness to a contributing fellow citizen. Check out post 30, and 57 for more detail (if you’re interested). To be fair, the majority on the board defended me. > > Short version: I don’t like drunk drivers either. One of them found this out the hard way. Well that was entertaining. And I got to add a few names to my list of users who do the recreational butthurt schtick. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/10 "2013-03-08T08:29:51Z")
Where are all the people who love Hit and Run drivers? Where’s the balance? Geez - I thought this place was supposed to have a Liberal bias. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/11 "2013-03-08T11:49:44Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > If you want to kill someone and basically get away with it, get drunk and use your car. I don’t understand why the laws are this way, but they are, and it’s wrong. You’ll actually get away with it better if you are sober. Just say “he stepped out in front of my car, officer! I couldn’t do anything!” Drunk drivers are a much juicier target for police & DAs. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/12 "2013-03-08T13:15:21Z")
Good friend of mine was driving stone cold sober one rainy evening and hit a drunk. Justice served. ---
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/13 "2013-03-08T14:27:32Z")
I fully endorse this pit! Why the fuck do we let repeat offenders drive, for that matter? Some asshole the other day told me that we give them a chance to get their license back because otherwise they will just drive illegally. I have a solution to this: if you get caught drunk driving you can never drive again. If you get caught driving again we break your driving ankle. If you get caught DRUNK driving again; we pour a just-barely-lethal dose of alcohol down your throat and watch you squirm. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/14 "2013-03-08T15:36:35Z")
I think its the ride and hit drivers that are the main problem - the others, not so much ---
**Author:** ![Theios](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e8c25b/32.png) [@Theios](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theios)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/15 "2013-03-08T20:19:47Z")
I live in Athens where this occurred. Can you believe we actually had someone post a ‘Blame the Victim’ comment on our local paper’s forums?! Most people had the good sense to dog pile him, but still… This is a white kid from one of the ‘Good Families’, so I know a lot more of them were thinking it, just not posting it. Heaton will probably get off easy in a plea deal. [Link to arrest article.](http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2013-03-06/man-charged-athens-hit-and-run-placed-pedestrian-coma) btw: she is out of coma now, and moved to a rehab center. ---
**Author:** ![Theios](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e8c25b/32.png) [@Theios](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theios)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/16 "2013-03-08T20:44:26Z")
Ah… Some of the roaches are coming out of the woodwork. In [this](http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2013-03-07/50k-bond-set-alleged-athens-hit-and-run-driver) article on the bond hearing, we’re stating to get some of the ‘Why are you all picking on him’ posters. Apparently, there is a Bad & Busted Facebook page where all the DoucheBag Defenders are out in force. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/17 "2013-03-08T20:56:43Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > If you want to kill someone and basically get away with it, get drunk and use your car. I don’t understand why the laws are this way, but they are, and it’s wrong. That’s because the people making the laws [are](http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2008-12-09/news/36904348_1_fossella-laura-fay-logan-tavern) [also](http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/45715) drunk drivers. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/18 "2013-03-10T18:24:12Z")
[Here](http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/06/nation/la-na-brooklyn-driver-arrested-20130307) is what can happen when a person arrested for drunk driving still insists on driving. > [@](#): > > Julio Acevedo, 44, was charged with leaving the scene of a vehicular accident, which killed a young New York couple and caused the premature birth and subsequent death of their baby. His defense? I didn’t know anyone had been killed. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/19 "2013-03-11T04:08:16Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > That’s because the people making the laws [are](http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2008-12-09/news/36904348_1_fossella-laura-fay-logan-tavern) [also](http://www.capitolhillblue.com/node/45715) drunk drivers. Well, that explains a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332/20 "2013-03-11T07:47:22Z")
> [@Pacific420](#): > > I abhor drunk driving as well. Recently a bar or bars in BC were heavily criticised for tweeting the locations of RCMP road checks, it’s odd though because here in BC it’s common for radio stations to bcst the locations of speed traps which I think is B.S. In California, some morons decided it was a good idea to require the _police_ to publicize where/when DUI checkpoints will be. :mad: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loathe-hit-and-run-drivers/652332.md?page=2)