Discussions

This is truly a disgusting story...  
 
http://www.brandonsun.com/breaking-news/Drunk-driver-hits-parked-car-another-crashes-into-building-327204971.html?thx=y  
 
Would this not make THREE impaired drivers in about 12 hours in Brandon? (Talking of course of the 34 year old woman who took out the hydro pole at 2:30 that afternoon)  
 
Then there was this one:  
 
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/suspected-drunk-driver-drags-winnipeg-police-officer-in-stolen-car-1.3226187  
 
I cannot for the life of me understand the lack of thought that goes through peoples heads. There seems to be an increase lately of accidents involving drunk or otherwise impaired driving - look at two weeks ago when that woman drove through the Chinese food restaurant. From what I was told, that was far from the first time she had driven drunk.  
 
What is going on? Are more people drinking or doing drugs in excess lately? Are there just more vehicles on the roads for them to have to navigate? Not likely as thankfully most of the collisions as of late (other than the Winnipeg one) have been with stationary objects. Or is it just that "luck" has run out for offenders?  
 
What made the one on Saturday particularly heinous was driving with a child in the car.  
 
Can someone please explain to me why she was not also charged with child endangerment?  
 
Maybe it is time to publicly shame people who drive impaired - obviously laws and justice are not curtailing it.

the driver's names should be made public?? If it all remains anonymous then people don't care??  
 
I would be ashamed if my name was in the paper for drunk driving!!

they did print the names of those found guilty of driving while impaired, in the Brandon Sun.... they used to anyway.  
 
Obviously if you are impaired at 2:30 in the afternoon you have way more problems though.  
 
We took a taxi on Friday night, too and back from our social. I think the cost of one ride is a lot cheaper than the resulting alternatives of driving drunk.

They have to be convicted of the charges before the names will be printed.  

CatMan said "They have to be convicted of the charges before the names will be printed.   "

but the paper hasn't published names of impaired drivers for years. I know of someone who admitted to me of an impaired charge but their name is not to be found on the court's website. I wonder if someone can pay to have their name expunged?

Johnbisonbear I completely agree, all convicted drunk drivers should be named in the paper. Also, they should name EVERY criminal and what they are charged with too. Then, all minors that are convicted of mischief and crimes that they can't be charged like an adult for should have it listed like " the 14 year old son of John and Jane Doe was caught stealing this". Too bad if it hurts your feelings, your a criminal and you lose rights when you break the law.  
 
Also, Jaxon, why do you assume that because someone is impaired/drinking at 2:30 in the afternoon that they have other problems? That is a pretty negative assumption to make

Even worse than driving while impaired at 2:30 in the afternoon and shearing off a hydro pole, is doing all that with your 9 year old in the car.

FarmerMike said "Johnbisonbear I completely agree, all convicted drunk drivers should be named in the paper. Also, they should name EVERY criminal and what they are charged with too. Then, all minors that are convicted of mischief and crimes that they can't be charged like an adult for should have it listed like " the 14 year old son of John and Jane Doe was caught stealing this". Too bad if it hurts your feelings, your a criminal and you lose rights when you break the law.     Also, Jaxon, why do you assume that because someone is impaired/drinking at 2:30 in the afternoon that they have other problems? That is a pretty negative assumption to make "

when you've done something wrong makes sense.  
 
The justice system spends too much time explaining actions of the perpetrators. Like.... they are sorry, they didn't mean to do it, they had a tough life, etc...

Johnbisonbear said "the driver's names should be made public?? If it all remains anonymous then people don't care??     I would be ashamed if my name was in the paper for drunk driving!! "

Totally agree John ! !

Please keep in mind with a thread like this the important distinction between being charged and being convicted. Drunk driving is a very serious crime and absolutely should come with consequence, but the court system is ultimately what determines guilt.  
 
Edited by Adam, 2015-09-14 14:22:39

One is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. (Of course with impairment that can be registered by breathalyzer - pretty hard to disprove)  
 
Anyway.  
 
I think I am most disappointed with the justice system. Obviously people are not getting the severity of such actions. People who are charged are heard laughing it off, making jokes, or applauding themselves on not getting caught.  
 
Something needs to be done to change the way impaired driving is viewed. As far as I am concerned, getting behind the wheel after doing anything that impairs your reflexes should be considered attempted murder. It's not like you are getting in a cloud car that does 5 km an hour - you are getting behind the wheel of a metal machine that weighs thousands of pounds - it is a weapon in effect.  
 
Repercussions need to be more serious. First offense, big fine and loss of driving privileges for a short time. But after that one strike - all bets are off. I believe vehicles should be impounded, drivers licenses revoked unless re training is done, and god forbid someone tries a third time or drives while suspended, that should be automatic life time of no driving and jail time.  
 
Then you get the sob stories of "how will I get to work or the doctor?" There are busses, there are taxis. If you are so stupid to get that far that your license is taken and you live in the country, you should be forced to move into a center that has the services. We coddle too much - we make excuses too much.  
 
Everyone should be allowed that one strike, but we need to up the ante for repeat offenders.  
 
Sorry, I am pretty angry about this. Just knowing how many people are out there taking my family's life in their impaired hands is infuriating to say the least.

When people are double or triple the legal limit, they deserve what they get. the problem I have is this 24 hour suspension if you are.05. I like a few cold ones after work and am almost afraid to drive after. I Liked the old law. If your over .08 your impaired. If your under .08 your good to go.

Uh, yeah, you should be afraid to drive home after a few beers after work....?  
Drink at home, or get a ride. Easy peesy.

Well. If that is the case, all lounges, bars, licensed restaurants would shut their doors. Come on. your next post will be why people don't support local business. The alcohol industry supplies many jobs and above that, it is taxed very high. You can't have it both ways. Ask the president of MADD. I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, did he not get picked up for DUI? Practice what you preach. Look. I'm not saying it's ok to drive drunk. I'm saying you should not get penalized for being under the legal limit.