Comments on: Drunk driving a growing concern http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/ Reporters' Blog for the Evening Sun Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:52:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: Ed http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-19232 Ed Sat, 27 Oct 2007 23:34:44 +0000 http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-19232 Drunk Driving will continue because of the vast amount of revenue it takes in and the many jobs it produces. My website is www.freewebs.com/edlind12/ and I have done a lot of research on this issue. Why? see below. My Name is Ed and I lost my only grand-daughter back on March 17,2006 just to another drunk driver here in the United States. Megan was only 5 years of age and she was riding in the back of a van that was driven by my wife. I 'am sure that it could have been worse seeing that also in the van was one of my grand-sons and his name is Chad and my mother-in-law Laura. They were on their way to church and to a A.W.A.N.A. program and were almost in our churches driveway when the van was slammed in the rear by the drunk driver. he was going at a speed of around 75 to 80 miles an hour and he just passed another vehicle on the road before he met my wife. After hitting the van the drunk driver got out of his truck and took a look around to see all the carnage that he just made and got back in his truck and took off. Leaving all my family for dead, he was not apprehended until 4 or 4:30 a.m. the next morning, and the accident happened at 7:oop.m. Friday night. My wife had 7 or 8 staples put in her head to close a gaping wound and she was knocked out from the impact. And upon awakening she heard her mother screaming outside the van and my wife saw that she was holding Chad and my mother-in-law thought my wife was dead when she saw the blood on her face. My mother-in-law told my wife that she could not find Megan and my wife could not get her drivers door open. She crawled across the seat and came out the passengers side. She found Megan under the van and grabbed her from there. Megan was alive and she was conscious. My wife saw that her leg was mangled and there was not a bruise or a scratch on her face. No marks on her upper body were present. Megan spoke to her and said grammy I 'am sorry that I might have soiled my pants. My wife held her in her arms sitting on the bank waiting for help to come and told Megan that it was all right. Her other grand-father raced down the church driveway after hearing someone got struck at the driveway. He knew from the description of what the church member gave him that it was Megan and his son's van. He was by their side in seconds as he leaned down to talk to Megan. She replied back to him but he did not hear what she said. The ambulance came and the medi-vac helicopter was sent also and my grand-daughter spoke her last words to her grand-mother my wife. Grammy I Can Not Breathe. She had died in the helicopter on her way to the hospital. Drunk Driving will continue because of the vast amount of revenue it takes in and the many jobs it produces. My website is www.freewebs.com/edlind12/ and I have done a lot of research on this issue. Why? see below.
My Name is Ed and I lost my only grand-daughter back on March 17,2006 just to another drunk driver here in the United States. Megan was only 5 years of age and she was riding in the back of a van that was driven by my wife. I ‘am sure that it could have been worse seeing that also in the van was one of my grand-sons and his name is Chad and my mother-in-law Laura.

They were on their way to church and to a A.W.A.N.A. program and were almost in our churches driveway when the van was slammed in the rear by the drunk driver. he was going at a speed of around 75 to 80 miles an hour and he just passed another vehicle on the road before he met my wife. After hitting the van the drunk driver got out of his truck and took a look around to see all the carnage that he just made and got back in his truck and took off. Leaving all my family for dead, he was not apprehended until 4 or 4:30 a.m. the next morning, and the accident happened at 7:oop.m. Friday night. My wife had 7 or 8 staples put in her head to close a gaping wound and she was knocked out from the impact. And upon awakening she heard her mother screaming outside the van and my wife saw that she was holding Chad and my mother-in-law thought my wife was dead when she saw the blood on her face. My mother-in-law told my wife that she could not find Megan and my wife could not get her drivers door open. She crawled across the seat and came out the passengers side. She found Megan under the van and grabbed her from there. Megan was alive and she was conscious. My wife saw that her leg was mangled and there was not a bruise or a scratch on her face. No marks on her upper body were present. Megan spoke to her and said grammy I ‘am sorry that I might have soiled my pants. My wife held her in her arms sitting on the bank waiting for help to come and told Megan that it was all right. Her other grand-father raced down the church driveway after hearing someone got struck at the driveway. He knew from the description of what the church member gave him that it was Megan and his son’s van. He was by their side in seconds as he leaned down to talk to Megan. She replied back to him but he did not hear what she said. The ambulance came and the medi-vac helicopter was sent also and my grand-daughter spoke her last words to her grand-mother my wife. Grammy I Can Not Breathe. She had died in the helicopter on her way to the hospital.

]]> By: Randy S. http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-17777 Randy S. Fri, 31 Aug 2007 08:05:52 +0000 http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-17777 Very upsetting is the repeat offender - they just don't seem to get the point. I had the unfortunate experience of getting a dwi 9 years ago, and I can honestly say that I NEVER drove while drinking again. Public humiliation (name in the paper),attorney's fee's, dumped by the insurance company (becoming high risk) and losing my license for a while ended up costing me well over $3,000 for the experience. Taught me a lesson that I will never forget. I agree with the writer above that when drinking alcohol - all rational thought processes seem to fly out the window. All of a sudden the intoxicated individual is "ten feet tall and bullett-proof." I have met many people who have been through this a few times - and have lost practically everything - and yet they will still drive drunk. These are the one's that pose the greatest risk to society - as they have "nothing to lose" and will do almost anything to avoid being caught in the act. I am not saying that I am normal, but I learned my lesson. How others can go through this and still continue to drive while intoxicated is beond me. I know one guy who had seven - yes - SEVEN DWI's and he was out driving drunk again after that. He told me that he was "ok" and that "he would not get caught." He finally let me drive him home when I reminded him of his state prison experience - and would he like to go visit again for say, maybe 10 years? You did the right thing - this is a social problem that is not going to go away. And nope, it's not easy. Very upsetting is the repeat offender - they just don’t seem to get the point. I had the unfortunate experience of getting a dwi 9 years ago, and I can honestly say that I NEVER drove while drinking again.

Public humiliation (name in the paper),attorney’s fee’s, dumped by the insurance company (becoming high risk) and losing my license for a while ended up costing me well over $3,000 for the experience. Taught me a lesson that I will never forget.

I agree with the writer above that when drinking alcohol - all rational thought processes seem to fly out the window. All of a sudden the intoxicated individual is “ten feet tall and bullett-proof.” I have met many people who have been through this a few times - and have lost practically everything - and yet they will still drive drunk. These are the one’s that pose the greatest risk to society - as they have “nothing to lose” and will do almost anything to avoid being caught in the act.

I am not saying that I am normal, but I learned my lesson. How others can go through this and still continue to drive while intoxicated is beond me. I know one guy who had seven - yes - SEVEN DWI’s and he was out driving drunk again after that. He told me that he was “ok” and that “he would not get caught.” He finally let me drive him home when I reminded him of his state prison experience - and would he like to go visit again for say, maybe 10 years?

You did the right thing - this is a social problem that is not going to go away. And nope, it’s not easy.

]]> By: jaki http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-17561 jaki Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:11:21 +0000 http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-17561 while i no longer live in new york the weeks before i moved where spent much like yours....trying to convince the invincable drunk not to drive under the influance. in one night i had to return a drunk to his girlfriend after hauling his rather large person into my suv. (he was convinced that he was going to remove another person from this world mind u.)that same night i got a call while still out delivering drunks that took my advice. it went like this..."jaki? this is **** can u come get me?" i asked" where are you?" he replies " at the troopers barracks i was arrested for dwi" so i went and picked him up and then he wanted to go get his car even after being told not to. his bac was .16... he could have killed himself and in the process taken someone elses life. I AM ADAMIT THAT PEOPLE USE MORE SENSE WHEN GOING OUT FOR A NIGHT. PLEASE USE A DD!! THERE ARE SO MANY LIFES AT STAKE... PROMISE TO BUY YOUR DD SODAS ALL NIGHT...WALK TO THE BAR......USE A TAXI.....ANYTHING THAT COULD RESULT IN YOU AND OTHERS MAKING IT HOME SAFELY!! (it would be nice if norwich taxis would be open later too!!) thank you for letting me ramble on!! while i no longer live in new york the weeks before i moved where spent much like yours….trying to convince the invincable drunk not to drive under the influance. in one night i had to return a drunk to his girlfriend after hauling his rather large person into my suv. (he was convinced that he was going to remove another person from this world mind u.)that same night i got a call while still out delivering drunks that took my advice. it went like this…”jaki? this is **** can u come get me?” i asked” where are you?” he replies ” at the troopers barracks i was arrested for dwi” so i went and picked him up and then he wanted to go get his car even after being told not to. his bac was .16… he could have killed himself and in the process taken someone elses life. I AM ADAMIT THAT PEOPLE USE MORE SENSE WHEN GOING OUT FOR A NIGHT. PLEASE USE A DD!! THERE ARE SO MANY LIFES AT STAKE… PROMISE TO BUY YOUR DD SODAS ALL NIGHT…WALK TO THE BAR……USE A TAXI…..ANYTHING THAT COULD RESULT IN YOU AND OTHERS MAKING IT HOME SAFELY!! (it would be nice if norwich taxis would be open later too!!) thank you for letting me ramble on!!

]]> By: Michael Pusz http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-17554 Michael Pusz Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:09:34 +0000 http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-17554 The phenomenon of driving drunk, and driving while under the influence of controlled substances, has a core of irresponsibility that is centered on a lack of sense for the “other.” The “other” is the person who is driving responsibly and must maneuver to avoid a drunk driver, or unfortunately is injured or killed by one. A drunk driver has no sense of empathy or sympathy for the innocent who they share the road with; drunk drivers only share the road and no other human existential responsibility at the time of their drunkenness. DWI/DUI is not an expression of some bravado libertine rebellion. It is immature, irresponsible, and deadly. Society may never shame drunk drivers into rehabilitation, but the reality of the consequences of drunk driving, and they happen sooner or later, will certainly alter the course of their life. That alteration will be beyond recall. Wisdom dictates that we not enter into the attempt to “recall” the tragedies of life. The quotient of wisdom is dignity. There is no dignity in drunk driving--just primitive behavior. The phenomenon of driving drunk, and driving while under the influence of controlled substances, has a core of irresponsibility that is centered on a lack of sense for the “other.” The “other” is the person who is driving responsibly and must maneuver to avoid a drunk driver, or unfortunately is injured or killed by one. A drunk driver has no sense of empathy or sympathy for the innocent who they share the road with; drunk drivers only share the road and no other human existential responsibility at the time of their drunkenness. DWI/DUI is not an expression of some bravado libertine rebellion. It is immature, irresponsible, and deadly. Society may never shame drunk drivers into rehabilitation, but the reality of the consequences of drunk driving, and they happen sooner or later, will certainly alter the course of their life. That alteration will be beyond recall. Wisdom dictates that we not enter into the attempt to “recall” the tragedies of life. The quotient of wisdom is dignity. There is no dignity in drunk driving–just primitive behavior.

]]> By: Maggie Shayne http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-17478 Maggie Shayne Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:41:28 +0000 http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-17478 I think the problem is that these same people might be perfectly rational, when they're sober. They might even begin drinking with the notion that they plan to stop before they get toasted, or make an alternate plan for getting home. But once they get a few drinks into them, their brains stop making decisions, and the alcohol starts calling the shots. "I think," says vodka, "It'd be a rrrrrrelly good idea to call my ex right now." "I think," says whiskey, "we should put on a dress and dance on the ka-titch, ka-titch, ka-titchen table." "I think," says beer, "We are perfec'ly FINE to drive home. Even if we fall down three-no four-no five timesontheway to the car." Alcohol isn't good at thinking. So don't even think about apologizing to drunks for taking their keys. They're not in any condition to make those decisions themselves, and the life you're saving may not even be theirs, so they've got no right to make the call anyway. You did the right thing, Mike. It's not easy. I think the problem is that these same people might be perfectly rational, when they’re sober. They might even begin drinking with the notion that they plan to stop before they get toasted, or make an alternate plan for getting home. But once they get a few drinks into them, their brains stop making decisions, and the alcohol starts calling the shots. “I think,” says vodka, “It’d be a rrrrrrelly good idea to call my ex right now.” “I think,” says whiskey, “we should put on a dress and dance on the ka-titch, ka-titch, ka-titchen table.” “I think,” says beer, “We are perfec’ly FINE to drive home. Even if we fall down three-no four-no five timesontheway to the car.”

Alcohol isn’t good at thinking. So don’t even think about apologizing to drunks for taking their keys. They’re not in any condition to make those decisions themselves, and the life you’re saving may not even be theirs, so they’ve got no right to make the call anyway.

You did the right thing, Mike. It’s not easy.

]]> By: Jessica http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-17474 Jessica Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:00:22 +0000 http://blog.evesun.com/2007/08/27/drunk-driving-a-growing-concern/#comment-17474 I used to know a lot of people who would brag about their drunk driving experiences. They would talk about how great they were at driving after a night of hardcore drinking. I knew one girl who got pulled over at least twice in the same night and somehow avoided getting ticketed. I don't know why it's so great to brag about these things, but be warned, if I hear someone doing it, I'll probably smack them in the head repeatedly until they get some common sense. I used to know a lot of people who would brag about their drunk driving experiences. They would talk about how great they were at driving after a night of hardcore drinking. I knew one girl who got pulled over at least twice in the same night and somehow avoided getting ticketed.
I don’t know why it’s so great to brag about these things, but be warned, if I hear someone doing it, I’ll probably smack them in the head repeatedly until they get some common sense.

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