Seattle Times Article

[claritapita]

So, I was reading today's Seattle Times. There was an article about how Washington State dUI laws are getting tougher. Now your FIFTH DUI conviction can be considered a felony.
Shock Horror!
If they want to stop people drinking and driving they need to scare the shit out of people. Make the SECOND conviction a felony and suspend their license. I

Comments

[retardomantaban]

I agree! I mean, how many DUI's does it take for you to realize you are a moron?

I blame the lawmakers.
They make it easy for people to not give a shit.

[dizietsma]

I spent about three and a half months in Los Angeles over the past year, and as a non-driver I found myself to be essentially disabled. It was virtually impossible to go anywhere without jumping into a car or a cab, and cabs get expensive real quickly. I can understand why people are tempted, there is still little stigma attached to the act, and it can make a night out considerably cheaper. Making the laws stronger is one approach, but is it ever going to deter some people? No, because some people never stop to think about the consequences of their actions. Stigmatising drunk driving as an anti-social and moronic activity may be a better approach, e.g. the THINK! campaign in the UK. It puts a stronger mental barricade in place, "Don't be an idiot" versus "Don't get caught", and it also opens you up to peer pressure: "Mate, I think you've had too much, let me drive".

[claritapita]

Understood. We are a very car-centric culture here. I live in the suburbs of Seattle and it is very difficult to go anywhere without a car. If I am going out to meet friends in town I either don't drink, organize a ride home, or suffer a 70$ cab ride. I find that people make snide remarks when I or my boyfriend DON'T drink and drive. My boyfriend often says "sorry mate, none for me I am driving" and gets a hard time from people: "It's just one! I have had 4 and *I* am driving too". Drink-driving seems to have a more negative stigma over in the UK. It is also a lot easier to get around without a car :)

[claritapita]

It must have definitely be an inconvenience. However, the punishment is not harsh enough for some people to fear getting caught.

[closh2]

I think I totally have to agree with you 100%

[writerwench]

I think the licence should be permanently cancelled on the second offence - no appeals, no special consideration - prove yourself to be willing to risk killing someone by driving drunk, and you lose your licence for good.
It has to be that harsh to get through to some of these people.

My ex was stopped after a party (I was away at the time or he'd NEVER have been driving), he had twice as much alcohol in his blood as acceptable, and ALL they did was fine him £200 and suspend him from driving for 2 years. If I'd been there I'd have gone to Court and asked them to make it 3 or 4 years... he was an arrogant stupid drunk who always risked his own and other peoples' lives.

[claritapita]

Agreed!