Please, refrain from drunk driving...

Der-draigen · Post by **Der-draigen** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 12:23 am

I hope I'm not out of line in posting this, but I'd like to take the opportunity to say...

Don't drive tired, either.

Driving while sleepy/drowsy is exactly as bad as driving drunk. Not only have studies been done on this, but I know it from personal experience. Although no person was hurt at the time, I was at the wheel of a car one night when I should have been in bed, and I did something I will always regret.

Also, when I was in grad school, a senior at the college was killed because he fell asleep at the wheel. This happened a week before graduation. A friend of mine used to be a fireman, and he once said that the vast majority of car crashes he attended to were caused by people falling asleep at the wheel.

Please, if you're even the least bit tired, rest a bit before driving. It may be inconvenient, but it will save a lot of heartache, and maybe worse.

IMO, drunk drivers deserve the harshest sentences possible. I'm including myself in that -- if my "tired-driving" had resulted in an accident with another vehicle, I would have no excuse. It would be right for the law to deal with me in the harshest possible manner, to prevent me from doing it again.

People make the conscious decision to drink. They then make the conscious decision to get behind the wheel of a car. Or, they make the conscious decision to drive tired. Everyone thinks "it's not going to happen to me." So I strongly disagree with those who say that sentences should be mitigated. If death results from a drunk (or tired) driving incident, the charge should be first-degree murder. Even if they feel okay, they still made the decision to drink and then drive.

nael · Post by **nael** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 8:32 pm

very true, tired-driving has not only been shown to be as bad, but actually worse than drunk driving. cell phone (not hands-free) has been proven to be just as bad.

after a night of drinking, I am a much worse driver the morning after than the night of.

nael · Post by **nael** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 8:40 pm

and a joke to lighten the mood:
a cop car was sitting outside a bar waiting for closing time to bust a drunk driver. the first guy coming out was stumbling around, even fell down once int he parking lot. he finally got to his car after tryign several other cars unsuccessfully. he slumped down into the seat, began turning on lights, overadjustign the stereo, turning on the windshield wipers. the driver fumbled with his keys for several minutes as all of the other bar goers got in their cars and drove off. Finally the guy started his car. the driver first was in drive and lurched forward, then slammed on the brakes, adjusted and went in reverse. as soon as the man started to move onto the street the cops had been desperately waiting to bust him. they pulled him over, read him his rights, and administered a breathalizer. the man blew a 0.0."how could this be?" asked the cop.
the man replied, "tonight I'm the designated Decoy"

Brynn · Post by **Brynn** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 2:02 am

Absolutely right, Der. The worst in this is that I don't only endanger myself, but those travelling with me or crashing into my car, too. And it's so unjust, to have an accident/die b/c of a fool's mistake...

I almost don't dare to go out on the road... I'm never drunk or tired when I drive (don't drive that often), but I've got my licence since February only, so I sitll feel a beginner, and that makes me scared of myself :sorry: