Mike_N_Ike

A few of my friends have been arguing over the last few days about DUI laws and their effect on road safety.

I'll probably go over the post length limit if I try to explain how the argument got to this point but basically, one of them is arguing that without DUI laws, more people would be inclined to drive while under the influence (basically that the fear of getting caught is a major deterrent) - and the other is arguing that getting caught is not a big deterent...that it's really an issue of safety and that people generally choose to drive or not to drive solely based on whether they think they can make it home ok.

I think we all probably have an opinion on what the majority of drivers would do - but for this poll, I'm really interested in whether or not you would be more likely to drive on the road after drinking (a lot or a little) if there were no DUI laws - meaning that all you had to consider was whether or not you could drive safely.

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-Mike

bachviet

I wouldn't drive if I'm not capable after drinking. Safety is the major concern.

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ski

Me? No, if there were no law against DUI, I still wouldn't chance it.

Many other college-aged students I know? Yes. The major deterrent in people around my age is getting caught. Now, if you're trashed, no one is going to let you drive, period. But if you're between 0.08 and 0.12, or downing 4 to 5 drinks in 10 minutes, waiting half an hour, then wanting to leave, I know many people that would feel okay driving. Over 0.15 is starting to get too trashed to be able to focus for X minutes to drive, by the view of many other people my age.

The BAC limit is there for a general guide of how capable you are at operating a vehicle. That said, if there were no law, each person would have a personal BAC for being capable to drive. A 100 pound girl can have a 0.079 BAC and be incapable of driving, causing a wreck, and still be legal. Of course she'll be charged with the damages legally and physically because it was her fault, but she won't get a DUI. So reiterating, if there were no legal limit, I'm sure that people would have to find a point where they feel they are capable after drinking. There would be a greater number of crashes I would suspect though due to people being more irresponsible. Just my opinion.

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And closer...

Nanotech9

most people that would drive drunk w/o DUI laws drive drunk anyway. They dont care about safety because they think they can drive drunk safe... therefore they think they wont get caught because they drive ok anyway...

thats how a lot of people i know look at it and it pisses me off.

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Merlin

There are times I'll have a beer or two and not drive simply because I'm afraid of what could happen. Obviously 2 drinks wouldn't impare me but you try telling that to a cop. DUI laws result in a zero tolerance policy on my part in that if I have anything I'll not drive. If there were no DUI laws....well I'm old enough to know where my limits are and I would respect that. So yes, the laws do have an impact on my behavior.

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GracieBayb

thanks mike

KCEnder

I agree with Merlin, there have been times where i have had two or three drinks but was ok to drive, i decided not to, because with the legal limit as low as it i would be asking for trouble.

cheapie

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attgig

I think that the fear of getting caught isn't a big deterrent until after the first time they get caught. I think the first time is getting your license suspended. However, after that is automatic Jail time. I think the Jail is a big deterrent for people vs just a suspension.

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Nanotech9

see, around here, you can get a bunch of DUI's if you play it right... all teh courts want is their money... so a good lawyer can keep getting it deferred if you pay the money, and for it to affect your record it has to go to the county court instead of city court, so if the city wants to keep the money, they dont send it on through and keep the money for them selves... I know of people who have 11 DUI arrests and are still driving with a valid license.

Cantacuzene

I would definitly drive after a drink or two more often if there were no DUI laws. Granted, I would never drive drunk, but there have been times when after two drinks at dinner I'm sure I was technically past the legal limit but I was still able to function normally and the only reason I didn't drive was fear of a DUI.

Showtime

Without DUI laws, people would be killing each other left and right.

-j

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Maarchk

Its sad that we need laws to protect people from themselves. But i agree. Many people i know are messed up and would drive if there were no laws. Then again, i know people over the limit who can drive better then some one putting on makeup and talking on their cellphone. I am still waiting for those laws to be put up.

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billxp

Your kidding right.

There was a time before DUI laws and people were not killing each other left and right. Sure alcohol related deaths have decreased but not sure of the numbers, I'm sure someone will post them.

I think the biggest impact has been in education and public awareness of the issue. Also keep in mind they raised the drinking age during the same time.

Yossarian

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Burzhui

i can drive perfectly fine after like 5-6 shots, so i'd drive, nothing would change if there were no DUI laws

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Showtime

It would if you got pulled over once or twice and convicted.

A lot of people feel they can drive fine after a few drinks, but reaction times are reduced.

-j

ShawnLee

I don't know... I'd say no, but that's me personally. So I'll vote that it wouldn't affect me because I'm me. As for everyone else, I don't know.

After a glass of wine at dinner? Eh, it might be more appropriate to let that go than to prosecute. After a night at the bar? Forget it, keep the law.

My personal philosophy, and this goes into politics, is that I'm a legal minimalist. Have as few laws as possible and enforce them well. DUI... I could see the limit raise to .1% and then enforced there, but as for removing it entirely? I think it's a good deterrent to have.

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Burzhui

nah i'm very aware of my surroundings, i'm very concentrated i'm ok, i know my limits