todd@SCIRTP.UUCP (Todd Jones) (07/24/85)
> Todd, I would suggest the simplest solution of all to > the DWI problem is: > > 1. Require those convicted of DWI to drive motorcycles for a year or > two, instead of cars. This has several positive effects. > > 2. Second conviction for DWI gets you a motorcycle license for life. > > 3. Driving a car while restricted to motorcycles because of DWI would > get you prison time, since you clearly can't be trusted around the > rest of us. > > Why not just pull the license of a DWI? Because judges and juries are > reluctant to prevent someone from being able to get to work; if they > have a motorcycle license, they have no excuse. Well, this idea has some appeal, but it won't work in harsh climates (ever tried to ride a motorcycle in Buffalo NY in February?). Another point is that motorcycles are more difficult to drive than cars, so you are going to have more accidents that will arguably affect more non-DWI convicts. I suppose it doesn't matter that some people would have a hard time affording them (I admit, my solution imposes a cost burden on the DWI convict as well) and motorcycle purists would be up in arms that their chosen mode of transportation would be associated with undesirables (BFD, right?). The problem is, few people can function in America without the use of a car. I bicycle commute during the warm months but I have little choice but to burn the petrol in winter. My solution? I get polluted at home. ||||| || || [ O-O ] Todd Jones \ ^ / {decvax,akgua}!mcnc!rti-sel!scirtp!todd | _ | |___|
smb@ulysses.UUCP (Steven Bellovin) (07/25/85)
The problem with draconian penalties for drunk driving is that juries won't convict. Defense attorneys are very good at portraying their clients as "just plain folks" who are being abused by the system. Most jurors can see themselves making "one little mistake", just like their "peer". Not that prosecutors are much better; I know of several instances where the local district attorney has been arrested for drunk driving. Also some state legislators, congresscritters, archbishops, etc.... I also don't know what to do about the problem, though I do feel that current public response is little short of hysterical. Does anyone but me fear the possibility of a return to Prohibition?
mff@wuphys.UUCP (Swamp Thing) (07/26/85)
In article <1019@ulysses.UUCP> smb@ulysses.UUCP (Steven Bellovin) writes: >I also don't know what to do about the problem, though I do feel that current >public response is little short of hysterical. I guess having someone close to murdered by some drunken asshole in a sports car does that to people. Kinda strange, isn't it. Mark F. Flynn Department of Physics Washington University St. Louis, MO 63130 ihnp4!wuphys!mff "There is no dark side of the moon, really. Matter of fact, it's all dark." P. Floyd
sms@kitc.UUCP (Video Vamp) (08/02/85)
> > Todd, I would suggest the simplest solution of all to > > the DWI problem is: > > > > 1. Require those convicted of DWI to drive motorcycles for a year or > > two, instead of cars. This has several positive effects. I kind of like this idea. The only thing I would add is that the convicted DWI motorcyclist should be required to fill out the Uniform Donor card. Most kidney transplants seem to come from dead bikers so this would be a way of replacing life after the DWI risked it. Besides, an alcohol sloshed kidney might be quite well preserved :-) Sam Saal No longer at ..!{ihnp4}!kitc!sms