Are drunk drivers getting off too easy?
By Phyrre
@phyrre (2317)
United States
May 23, 2009 8:29pm CST
This has been a question that's been plaguing me recently. It seems I hear more and more about drunk driving incidents claiming the lives of people and it always seems like they never get the sentence they deserve.
You see, my cousin was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 18. Her boyfriend in the passenger seat was also killed and the 15 year old in the back was put into critical condition and it took him 2 years to learn how to walk again.
The drunk driver walked away with nothing more than a broken leg. It was his 3rd drunk driving offense. The other two had been lowered sentences because he knew the judge. He drove drunk behind the wheel intentionally THREE times in a row, so obviously some sort of message wasn't getting across. Plus, he KILLED two people. Driving drunk is a choice, just like picking up a gun and shooting someone. Everyone knows the risks that are involved.
This drunk driver got a sentence of 9 years tops in jail, but he was released on good behavior after 4. Even attempted murder yields a higher jail time than this and any successful murder yields at least 3 times this if proven. So why can someone take the lives of someone and only get 4 years? And you know what's even worse? After he was released, he was pulled over for his FOURTH driving offense.
So what do you think? Do you think drunk drivers are getting off too easy when their bad decisions result in the deaths of others, or do you think that they SHOULD have reduced sentences and why?
I'm always interested in hearing people's opinions on subjects like these. :)
5 people like this
5 responses
@sjvenden27 (1840)
• United States
24 May 09
Yes drunk drivers are getting off way too easy... I have had three of my relatives, that I know of, that got killed!! The drivers in the other car never getting but a scratch, and a slap on the wrist not to do it again... Excuss me a life is a life... I dont care if you are under the influnce, you killed someone and you deserve to pay for it... YOU RIP WHAT YOU SOW!! If you are going to drink, stay home!!! If you have to go to a bar... Have someone else that didnt touch a drink, ONE DRINK IS ONE TOO MANY!!! And for those judges, that allow these people to continue to drive without conseques... They should be put in JAIL, for allowing those people to KEEP THEIR DRIVING PRIVILEGES!!! Choices that you make you ALONE are responible for, ESPECIALLY drinking!! I have been drunk before, but NEVER got behind the wheel...
When I was a teenager, my mother made us get into the car and go with her because she was hungry for Taco Bell. She was DRUNK, had been drinking the whole day, but she told us that if we didnt go with her she would ground us for the rest of the summer. It was in the middle of the day we when there, about 5 blocks away, she hit every curve goiing there and back... I am suprised she didnt smash into the taco bell when she was going through the drive thru... I will never drink AND DRIVE!! If there is a possiblity that you would be in that situation, walk, if its too far call someone... if that can not happen take the boos home... NO PARTY IS WORTH ANOTHER'S LIFE, PERIOD!!! If that is your attitude then well I hope you enjoy small spaces and no freedoms... YOU BELONG IN JAIL AND THE KEY SHOULD BE THROWN AWAY!!
2 people like this
@rebelmel (1386)
• United States
25 May 09
Yes, a lot of drinkers and drivers are getting let off too easy these days. My dad has been arrested SEVERAL times for it, and finally this last time they took his license away for ten years. It's harsh, but like everyone else, he isn't going to learn unless he is given consequences. If they had taken his license away one of the first times he drank and drove, he probably wouldn't have continued to do it.
1 person likes this
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
24 May 09
Dear friend,In our place in India there are many drunk drivers caught and they are set free moslty after they given a fine of more than Rs.3000/- may be more then $65. Still there are lots of accidents occuring particulary driving after or by consuming drinks. I just hope it would be just to avoid drinking while driving. Still as the law here is in rich and influenceial this pratice goes on.
1 person likes this
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
24 May 09
That's interesting. I don't know much about the laws in foreign countries, but I never thought about drunk driving laws elsewhere. I do remember hearing someone complaining about something like this over towards that side of the world, but I can't remember where. Hmm. It's a shame, though, that things like this get overlooked.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
24 May 09
Hi phyrre, There is no excuse for drunk driving and if someone is killed, they should be charged with murder. I also believe that anyone can make a mistake and should be released at the earliest time possible if he/she appears to have reformed. However, if caught drinking and driving again, he/she should be sent back to serve the remainder of maximum term. No second chance to kill. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@Scarrlet (168)
• Ukraine
24 May 09
I agree with you on the question. Actually, when I hear statistics on car accidents in my country, i find that majority of them happen because of a drink driver. I think that to lessen the number of such cases, drivers should not be given warning, but rather their driving license should be taken immediately for a year for example.
