Lowering BAC lmits from .08 to .05....

[red-beard]

I read somewhere that the people pulled over average 0.14% BAC. Lowering the limit to 0.08 didn't do very much. Going to 0.05 will not do anything either.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by javadog

The drunk driving incidents that make the headlines are the ones where the driver is far beyond the .08 limit. Usually they are 2 to 3 times that limit. Lowering the limit Will make absolutely no difference except how much money changes hands. Around here, a first time DUI will cost you about $7000. 2/3 of that goes to the lawyer.

Like most laws, these laws seldom do anything at all to change the problem. You should spend a day in a misdemeanor court room sometime and see firsthand just how much a waste of time most law-enforcement is.

I wholeheartedly agree. Lowering the limit will not get the dangerous ones off the road. Responsible drivers will be inclined to follow the lower limits, whereas the lower limit won't make a difference to those that don't give a fcuk.

[widebody911]

Lowering the limit to .05 is a win-win for The System. More money changes hands, and they can claim they're making the roads safer without having to provide any actual proof.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Cash grab. Both .05 and .08 are not impaired in most any way. Pathetic and ridiculous.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

We need to turn more of the population into convicted criminals (yes, DUI is considered “criminal” in many states) so we can keep the prison industry going strong, we can keep more lawyers employed, keep more people buying really expensive insurance policies (helps out the politicians’ biggest reelection campaign donors - banking and insurance) and we can ensure fewer people can legally buy guns.

I’m 100% in favor of being tough on people who are legitimately drunk driving (most people are terrible enough drivers when sober!) but this is just pandering.

This is one more reason we need self-driving cars. This kind of stupidity needs to end (on both sides - those who abuse alcohol and then rationalize getting behind the wheel and those who are sucking up to big money interests).

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

We need to turn more of the population into convicted criminals (yes, DUI is considered “criminal” in many states) ...

Hey, I'm a criminal too . As posted earlier, I used to drive after drinking in my youth...thousands of times. The one time I realized I shouldn't be, I pulled my car over off and went to sleep. I was busted for .11 (limit was .1 then, sober as could be at 6 am). Nearly cost me my job as an AVP at a megabank....my "super manager" intervened with the powers that be on my behalf .

My tolerance for alcohol WAS quite high 40 years ago....I could easily down 4-5 beers before even having a slight buzz or being impaired....well, not real beer....Budweisers .

It's not a joking matter however....I was flat wrong for doing what I did as a youngin...no question.

But this proposal has gotta be a gift to the attys and insurance biz imo. Will have ZERO effect except for the money trail....

[Mike Andrew]

IMHO, just another BS proposal to fill the coffers of lawyers and government without regard to the impact on drunk driving. It will, if implemented, create many unintended problems regarding employment and increased premiums to name low hanging fruit. It will also boost rehab and 12 step participation as many courts order both and most health insurance covers the rehab costs.
We have a hands free law here in Madiganistan (Illinois) and I see LOTS of people on their phones while driving. Sold my Kawi after nearly getting forced into a tree filled median by a girl texting. I suspect there are many more drivers on their devices than driving at .05 or above. Let's just enforce current laws and see where the statistics go.

[Por_sha911]

You know, I find it amazing that there is so much outrage over lowering the BAC (I have no vote on that) yet, many are totally silent when there is a push to become increasingly restrictive with GUN CONTROL?!
Remember that the majority of crimes with guns aren't done by law abiding gun owners who have an AR15 but rather criminals. So, as one person wrote, how about we enforce the current laws rather than escalate the war against the Constitutional right to bear arms?

p.s. Want to talk about money grabbing?
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/22/california-democrats-want-some-businesses-to-fork-over-half-tax-cut-savings-to-state.html

[legion]

Originally Posted by Mike Andrew

Madiganistan

I'm using that. For those of us South of I-80 (or west of I-39), we resent having these dictates forced on us year after year that forces us to spend money solving problems we largely aren't experiencing.

[steve185]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

This does sound like something the lawyers would be in favor of greatly.

Lawyers would love this, more charges, more lawsuits = more money for them.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

You know, I find it amazing that there is so much outrage over lowering the BAC (I have no vote on that) yet, many are totally silent when there is a push to become increasingly restrictive with GUN CONTROL?!...

Not here....not something I've ever worried about either. Just as unenforcable as other bs laws...

In fact...the opposite has ocurred here....
Though NC has always been an open carry state (no one does), I don't even need to ask the gov't for permission to carry concealed anymore if I feel the need. Not that I was ever gonna ask their permission in the first place

[legion]

Originally Posted by steve185

Lawyers would love this, more charges, more lawsuits = more money for them.

Which is why I think the ABA (American Bar Association) is feeding this story to the media.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by steve185

Lawyers would love this, more charges, more lawsuits = more money for them.

Exactly. DUI has become an industry.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Exactly. DUI has become an industry.

...and insurance

Way back when...

...three years of extremely jacked up rates...

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I read somewhere that the people pulled over average 0.14% BAC. Lowering the limit to 0.08 didn't do very much. Going to 0.05 will not do anything either.

This, it will generate a ton of revenue though.

[Bill Douglas]

Revenue gathering. It's my thoughts are too that, it's the drunk as a skunk drivers who maim and kill.

Just so you aren't contributing to the revenue gathering exercise. AND don't flame me it's advice for people who have had two drinks instead of one... Carry a one liter bottle of water in the car and if you get stopped drink the whole thing. There is no law against drinking water when stopped by police. And you will beat the breathalyzer. Even if they get nasty and take a blood same you will beat that too. If the cop asks why you drank the water just say I really hate you people and the sight of you makes me thirsty. They like that.

[Por_sha911]

The water trick is bad science. Its not drinking the water but if the water is cold enough to lower the body temp that helps. You would have to drink a LOT of very cold water to reduce your body temp to make a difference. Some of the old wives tales actually increase your BAC reading. (Bill: I will retract my claim if you can show me where there is science to back up your claim.)
The only sure fire way to beat the breath test is to NOT DRINK or at the very least, not more than one or two drinks (but there are a lot of variables like your weight, what you ate, if you have a slight fever...).

[LakeCleElum]

Some years ago, the state of Washington dropped it from .10 to .08. Guess who donated huge sums to law makers campaigns that year:

The guy with the state wide contract to install and rent you a breathalyzer interlock.....

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

(Bill: I will retract my claim if you can show me where there is science to back up your claim.).

OK, OK, I'm just trying to save your bacon.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

OK, OK, I'm just trying to save your bacon.

I don't save bacon. Eat bacon!