Ever since I moved to this rural Nova Scotian community I've noticed that there are a LOT of drunk drivers. There is one in particular, an 80 year old man that hasn't drawn a sober breath in 20 years, that I watch go by at a blistering 40-50 km/hr (the speed limit is 80) several times a day on his way to and from the liquor store. I have gotten stuck behind him on this road many times and won't even try to pass him, as I've seen him quite literally run other cars that have tried to pass him right off the road. I, myself, almost T-Boned him once when I drove by his house as he backed out of his driveway. I've called the police on him several times, and I know he's been caught a bunch of times and is driving unlicensed, but he's 80 years old so they won't throw him in jail, and our laws don't allow the police to confiscate his car. And he's just one of many, many drunks on the road around here. I've even written letters to the editor of the newspapers about the problem.
Combine that with the old hoopties that pollute the roadways around here - old farm pickup trucks, cars without any doors, old heaps with no exhaust systems - cars that in the city would've been junked long ago, and it's a recipe for disaster.
And last night, almost as if on cue (being Friday the 13th and all), disaster struck. A 58 year old woman, one of my neighbours that I, having only lived here a year, didn't even know, washiznit and killed about 100 yards from my front door last night. Strangely, I didn't know anything about it - didn't hear any sirens, didn't see any flashing lights. I only just found out about it now, when I saw police outside measuring pavement and a news crew filming a local gas station's parking lot (apparently where the woman landed). She didn't see any lights either, apparently - the 18 year old drunk driver that hit her was driving with no lights on. He screwed off but was followed home by a witness.
I hope they throw the book at the , and I hope this results in increased patrols around here. It's only a 30 mile drive to the nearest police station, but seeing a cop in this area is extremely rare. The people generally police themselves, and it works, except the big drunk driver problem.
Anyway, I don't even know where this rant is going, except to say that drunk drivers suck ass. Such a stupid waste of a life...
as long as there is cars and booze there will be drunk drivers. Its sad that people don't understand the things that can happen, it hit me hard recently so i know all about it, and i vow to be the person at the party's now taking people home, or stopping them from driving, cause its not something i want to deal with in the near future.
Sadly it usually takes a few more deaths (At least here in the good ole US of a) for them to do something about stuff like this.
Pshhhh I don't know about Ohio, there 20th, but in AZ they come down on Drunks hard. Depending on what you blow (.08 is drunk here) they could even revoke your liscense on your first offense. I'm sure everyone has head of our famous Sherrif Joe Arpaio, it's like his personal favorite thing to attack people on right now. Personally, I'm all for it. I never drive after I've been drinking, so I have nothing to worry about. And all my friends know they can call me at any hour of the night to go pick them up. It's really sad to see innocent people get killed by drunk drivers.
They do the same here(.08 is drunk) im talking about the increased patrols and such.
wish i knew what to do about that. i have noticed it seems the people who survive the drunk driving accidents are the ones who are drunk. then they must live with the thought of their actions that have killed someone.. Its sad how it happens.
Drunk driving in the Toledo area is rediculous... I go to Owens Community College and the number of yellow "party plates" in the parking lot is just sickening.
And not to hijack or anything, but where in toledo are you 20th? I'm a little bit outside in Genoa (Sorry carmen)
I make a point to steer clear of the cars with yellow plates when i see them.
Though one time i saw one and at closer inspection it was actually an Alaskan plate. Guy was pretty far from home and the color of his license plate probably made him less than welcome to some people that didnt look close.
It looked something like these, but I could have sworn the lettering was red. (http://www.licensepl8s.com/passpix/aketz185.jpg)
And not to hijack or anything, but any of you toledo guys go to any of the weekly cruises/shows during the warm season? Im usually out at parkway in maumee on friday, and downtown wauseon on tuesday. Sometimes im out at mayberry but thats big and monthly.
There are times I wonder if my T-Bird is tough enough. I also have an Explorer, but somteimes I wonder. My dad was rear-ended by a drunk driver in the afternoon one day as he was sitting at a red light. The speed limit is 50mph there, and the cops who showed up said that there were no tire marks behind -- the guy hit at full speed. My dad's Blazer was knocked halfway into the intersection, totaled with a bent frame. Thankfully my dad had his seatbelt on. Now he drives an Expedition.
The drunk guy was driving a minivan. He had 3 liters of alcohol in the car and cocaine in the glove box. When the cops showed up he was belligerent, threatened to kick their asses, which is the wrong thing to say to three cops. Man, were they pissed. To add insult to injury my dad suffered injuries to his left arm and sued, but the guy wound up dying from unrelated causes (which means that you now have to sue his estate, and the way that works you may as well forget it).
Drunk drivers suck. When I go to a bar with friends and I have to drive, I don't drink -- at all. I just pound soda.
By the way -- what's a party plate?
You said it, Sam.
I made it through high school and college from 1996-2005. In those years I drank quite a bit. In fact, I was a professional by the third year of college. I could kill a case (24 cans!) of Scudweiser at parties from sunset to sunrise and still be coherent. I also got up to 250 lbs., but that's beside the point.
Here's my point: In all those years of drinking and having a great time, I can count on one hand how many times I've driven when I was over the limit. I have to say that those were very unique cirspoogestances (I won't go into detail) where I was practically forced to drive a car.
You almost have to hold a gun to my head to get me to drive drunk.
I've seen friends and family members get busted for DUI, and I just can't understand it. Why risk a life or lives just to get yourself around? I pride myself on getting drunk and stumbling home, dammit.
I can also remember riding in a friend's car where he was holding a hand over one eye so he could focus on the road. Yeah, that was a fun trip.
Here's another point that matches up with your story:
Now that I'm a resident of North Carolina, I've learned a few things. I guess this state is home to many illegal immigrants. Because they're away from their families, friends and churches, I guess they tend to drink to help ease the pain. Well, they also borrow vehicles and drive to get around. Some of them have no license, insurance, etc. Hell, some of them can't even speak English.
In any event, they cause a LOT of accidents down here. I think Bill had an encounter like this with his GTO, if I remember correctly.
To close my thoughts on this, I hate drunk drivers. I like to party as much as the next guy, but I rarely attempt to get behind the wheel. I'm smarter than that, and it has nothing to do with my passion for Cougars/Thunderbirds. It's my passion for being a good person and not risking anyone's life.
If you get a DUI in Ohio, this is what they make you slap on your car
(http://www.pl8ster.net/OH/OH05_dui.jpg)
kinda stands out when everyone else you see has this
(http://www.pl8s.com/ps-photos-4/4443.jpg)
I think I'm going to actively start seeking drunks out and rolling them for their cash.With all the drunks roaming around,I should have enough money to finish the Bird in no time.
25 cans of your American "beer" is no feat. We Canadians give that shiznit to the cat instead of milk :hick:
Joking apart, I don't drink. At all. So I'll never have to worry about driving drunk. It's the other drivers out there that worries me.
That Ohio yellow plate thing kicks ass, I wish they'd do it here. Actually, if I had my way, the s wouldn't have a car to stick the plate on after a DUI - I'd confiscate 'em and use 'the better ones as police cars. The rest could go to auction.
After you drink 25 cans of beer,or take that much alcolhol in,you only THINK you're coherant.Ask most alcoholics if they have a drinking problem,and they'll tell you "no".They always think they have everything under control,then,a lady ends up dead by a drunk driver.I don't drink either,never havemnever will.it amazes me to hear people who go out ang get stupid drunk,an think they're cool doing it.Dumbass people.
All i know is since i lost my friend to it, i will NEVER get in the car with someone drunk driving, or behind the wheel drunk. Its not worth it.
This subject is one of the few that makes me start using swear words. How stupid do you have to be to get behind the wheel of a car when you can't even walk straight? There are cabs, designated drivers, friends to call, hell, sleep out on the street for all I care. And with this being my prom night, many of my friends are out on the road. I know they don't drink, but alot of others do. I live right next to a dead man's corner, and I've actually heard crashes outside where people have died. It was horrible. I don't think I ever want to drink, but if I do, I'll make sure to 1:not get totally hammered to the point I don't even know up from down, and 2: to have the proper guards in place(friend driving/cab called, keys to the barkeep, cut off point).
Rant over.
If you've got no tolerance, 4 or 5 drinks in an hour will give a decent buzz. With a tolerance, your BAC is the same as someone who doesn't drink, but you don't feel the effects as strongly. If you get pulled over and are coherent by your own judgment, your breathalyzer would say otherwise.