.1 vs. .08 ??? DUI???

[CrazyThomas 0]

so, I live in a state that sits to lose a lot of federal highway fundiing if the legal driving BAC is not lowered to .08.
Seriously, moving from .1 to .08 may cost $3 million in federal highway dollars, and the state is deciding (so far) not to lower it.
So, the government is putting the screws to us. If not lowered, then less money.
And they have our balls in a ringer, with slow economy and all.
Kind of like when Uncle Sam wanted the drinking age to be 21 and not 19. If the states did not comply, funding was lost.
Is this, or is this not, the government blackmailing states into it's desires?
What about when Uncle Sam says no medical marijuana?
How much can Big Brother push around the states?


wondering,
Thomas

[2fat2fly 0]

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How much can Big Brother push around the states?

Being a South Carolinian, I know how hard they pushed when we fired on Ft. Sumter back in April 1861. I'm fresh from the state motto thread so I'm still thinking SC history-BTW, ELDER Statesman Strom Thurmond passed away. In reverence for the dead don't ask me my opinion of him.

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried

[wmw999 2,584]

Hi Thomas -- hope things are going well.

The government is simply saying "do whatever you want, but we won't provide highway funding if this isn't part of it."

Since it's the fed's money (at least legally speaking), they can do that. We, as voters, can maybe eventually change that by changing the legislators. That said, there are a lot of safety numbers that seem to support the Federal stance, just like there were when the drinking age was raised.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[whocares 0]

I think it is great keeps the drunks off the road and in jail.

[quade 4]

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Seriously, moving from .1 to .08 may cost $3 million in federal highway dollars, and the state is deciding (so far) not to lower it.

Thomas --

I fail to see how lowering the limit costs federal highway dollars. I can see how NOT lowering it would prevent the state from receiving the money, but how does the state lose money by lowering the limit?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Gawain 0]

If $3M in federal funding is going to really hurt Wisconsin then you've got bigger problems. Is it really $3 Billion?

Many states have adopted the 0.08BAC law. Trouble is, it does little in terms of real "safety" on the streets. I read an interesting article which if I can find, I will refer you to. It cited that based on past arrest/conviction statistics, the impact of 0.10 to 0.08 BAC in terms of drunk drivers being taken off the street was minimal.

The Federal Government can, and does impede on the states, that what being a Federal Republic is about and the Constitution is the "Law of the Land".

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[quade 4]

Quote

The Federal Government can, and does impede on the states, that what being a Federal Republic is about and the Constitution is the "Law of the Land".

I don't think though that this is a case where the Federal Government is "forcing" anyone to do anything. The states are, in fact, allowed to set the limits where ever they would like. There is a financial incentive for them to set it at or below a certain limit the Federal Government desires.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Iflyme 0]

Hopefully, fewer people will die at the hands of drunk drivers if the limit is lowered in your state. That is a hell of a lot more important a few million bucks.

[SpeedRacer 1]

From what I have heard, the vast majority of drunk drivers who cause accidents have BAC of well over 0.1%, so lowering the limit to 0.08% probably won't make much difference in the real world. But since when do politicians try to make things work in the real world??
Most politicans just try to "foster an image" & get themselves re-elected by pushing a bunch of legislation that doesn't actually do anything, but just kinda sounds good to an uneducated public.

Other examples of bullshit laws that politicians have put in place to show they're "doing something about drunk drivers!"
In Massachusetts, liquor stores (but not bars) are closed on Sunday!! Yeah, THAT'LL solve the problem!!
In Connecticut, liquor stores close at 8 PM. In other states, you can buy alcohol here, but not there...or you can buy alcohol at this time, but not at that time.
The bullshit just goes on and on.

Appoint me dictator, and I will just close all the state capitals & turn their buildings into laser-tag arcades.

Speed Racer
--------------------------------------------------

[tbrown 26]

Well yeah, it's the Feds' money, BUT when the Repeal Amendment (don't remember which number amendment that was) passed in 1932, it gave the states the right to control, or even ban, liquor sales as each state saw fit. Which is why some states like Utah, Oklahoma, and some southern "Bible belt" states have such restrictive liquor laws. But if a state WANTS to set 0.10 limit, or permit sales to 18 or 19 yr olds, the CONSTITUTION gives them that right too. Except the evildoers in Washington hold those rights hostage to highway funds. I'm surprised none of the states have ever sued over this. It's probably not worth the expense. Maybe the liquor companies should sue.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[RevJim 0]

Actually, here in Wisconsin, .10 has been the limit to be arrested for DWI (driving while intoxicated).
What alot of people don't realize is that we have also had a .08 DUI (driving under the influence) for many, many years. The penalties are similar, and the insurance companies treat them as the same anyway. Changing the legislation is just a formality now.

BUT, you think that's bad, try being in my shoes. I have a CDL (commercial drivers license), so my limits are quite a bit different than the average joe.
If I get pulled over, and blow a .10, I lose my CDL FOR LIFE. Blow .08-5 years. It goes low enough here to amaze you. .03, yes .03 and my way of life is gone for a year. No CDL=no job. All of those will effect insurance rates, so I can forget about actually getting a job when I do get the CDL back.
Thankfully, I drink very little now, and when I do, I DO NOT drive, period. Why? That's right, I lose the CDL even if I get pulled over at .03 IN MY CAR, OFF DUTY!

It's your life, live it!
Karma
RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

[pop 0]

What exactly do you do?

7 ounce wonders, music and dogs that are not into beer

[RevJim 0]

Quote

What exactly do you do?

I was am over the road truck driver (thinking about doing that again starting this winter.)

Now, local Quad Axle dump truck driver.
Same weight as Semi trucks, smaller package.

It's your life, live it!
Karma
RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

[ChrisD 0]

SpeedRacer

From what I have heard, the vast majority of drunk drivers who cause accidents have BAC of well over 0.1%, so lowering the limit to 0.08% probably won't make much difference in the real world. But since when do politicians try to make things work in the real world??
Most politicans just try to "foster an image" & get themselves re-elected by pushing a bunch of legislation that doesn't actually do anything, but just kinda sounds good to an uneducated public.

Other examples of bullshit laws that politicians have put in place to show they're "doing something about drunk drivers!"
In Massachusetts, liquor stores (but not bars) are closed on Sunday!! Yeah, THAT'LL solve the problem!!
In Connecticut, liquor stores close at 8 PM. In other states, you can buy alcohol here, but not there...or you can buy alcohol at this time, but not at that time.
The bullshit just goes on and on.

Appoint me dictator, and I will just close all the state capitals & turn their buildings into laser-tag arcades.

If you are within 30 miles of the border your hard liquor stores in MA, and a few other states are open...
Such is the power of being fair to the booze lobby. Ie If your liquor store is close to a border you loose money cause you can get drunk just by makin a short drive on sunday??? Makes a lot of sense hu???

And the crash statistics show that in fact on sundays there are more crashes near the state lines because of this

The NTSB wants to grow, so I find it a bit of a surprise that some of you find the Government is a bit out of control on this issue. Back in the day we had the public they used to be heard, but now adays we have agencies that want to grow on their own.

I think the best you can do is recognize the shift in how things are done and that the people no longer have a voice.

I am glad you point out: "Other examples of bullshit laws that politicians have put in place to show they're "doing something about drunk drivers!"

It's just really sad that not only have many of these laws not worked, they are actually increasing the carnage on our roads. Such as in Massachusetts on Sundays. The lack of highway enforcement on Sundays is about 40 percent of what it is, the other six days averaged...Put another way>>>>

If your drunk, you don't have to travel to another state and risk being caught, all you have to do is just drive down the street!!!

Liquor stores rule, their contributions to the Mass State Police, and a corrupt legislature ensure the publics safety? The Madd folks have made this point and documented it well... It's the same in the other border states...

By the way the NTSB wants a .035 limit, or as in some of European countries: YOU can not go from a drinking place to your car period.

C

Your points about how R elected officials get elected and an uneducated public are spot on, recognize that this same issue takes place here .

Doing the right thing is a fight that the corporations don't want you to do, affects the bottom line to much....

But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

[skymama 37]

Why did you bring up a 10 year old thread?

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[oldwomanc6 60]

skymama

Why did you bring up a 10 year old thread?

Good question! I guess some people like to argue so much that they will dredge up something dead and buried, in the hopes that someone will take the bait.

lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

[JohnMitchell 16]

I remember MADD had a push in our state to lower it to 0.06 a few years back. The restaurant owners were some of the most vocal in the fight to defeat that.

Years ago it was .12 just about everywhere, then .10, now .08. Yet the hardcore drunks are still out there at .20 or higher, causing carnage. I have no magic solution. I just think this constant lowering is all political.

How about a free breathalyzer at the door when you leave the bar?

[ChrisD 0]

The NTSB just got more than a few million to recommend , well:

New Reccomendations.

The latest data collected where states have repealed their blue laws, such as in MA, to favor liquor stores being open, continues to show higher than average fatality rates. There have been recent attempts, as they do every year, to repeal the insanity. MADD points out that these laws didn't work....Politicos in MA do nothing....No current legislator want's to repeal the stuff that got them elected even though the numbers and public opinion show other wise. Many might say putting such draconian measures as the NTSB is currently attempting is a good thing and may make our roads safer. God knows, that driving is a dangerous thing for our loved ones and children. And this kind of intervention is needed, we really do need to do something about the highway carnage that is just "accepted" by the public.

On the other hand I disagree with the unbridaled attempts that many agencies go to, to justify their own exsistance. My main point would be that as citizens we have given up our control. That control is Democracy!

The NTSB is on a roll right now to justify their exsistance, recognize it for what it is...


You decide if it's for the better...

C

I shouldn't do a search for past events, that current day events show that some legislation isn't working? Recent funding, this year,...makes this 10 year old thread more relevant than ever? MADD in MA has shown this link and done a great job in MA and they are privately funded for the most part...

The NTSB has launched recent public PSA's, I posted a link to their most recent, here it is again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F36wWX1ZI70

This was done on May 14, 2013...just one of their "Operation Zero" initiatives that has taken place in the last few months. (O'h I get it I'm about 30 days late???) (and they have released, multiple vids by the way in the last 20 days or so...)

This will undoubtedly push those states that are on the fence as to changing their OUI /DUI laws, this week and in November, many states will change there laws this month, under the guise of protecting their people for "summer" driving. (Summer fatalities due to OUI issues get more press.)

So the point being .1 V .08 is being decided right now as most legislators are on holaday. "There back," in a few days.... But YOU won't find out about it until they have made the change...

So speed boy here is right on, and I couldn't find any other releveant threads that say what he said so eloquently!!!

I guess because it's current?? Andrea???

But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

[jclalor 12]

The few times that I Have driven drunk was only because I was too drunk too walk.

[kallend 2,146]

skymama

Why did you bring up a 10 year old thread?

The dead can come back to life on DZ.COM

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[jakee 1,593]

Quote

If you are within 30 miles of the border your hard liquor stores in MA, and a few other states are open...Smile

Such is the power of being fair to the booze lobby. Ie If your liquor store is close to a border you loose money cause you can get drunk just by makin a short drive on sunday???

You know you have a drinking problem when: a sixty mile round trip is a 'short drive' for a bottle of hooch

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[champu 1]

jakee

Quote

If you are within 30 miles of the border your hard liquor stores in MA, and a few other states are open...Smile

Such is the power of being fair to the booze lobby. Ie If your liquor store is close to a border you loose money cause you can get drunk just by makin a short drive on sunday???

You know you have a drinking problem when: a sixty mile round trip is a 'short drive' for a bottle of hooch

I've made a 50-mile round trip to the nearest Portillos. I may have an Italian Beef Sandwich problem.

[ChrisD 0]

jakee

Quote

If you are within 30 miles of the border your hard liquor stores in MA, and a few other states are open...Smile

Such is the power of being fair to the booze lobby. Ie If your liquor store is close to a border you loose money cause you can get drunk just by makin a short drive on sunday???

You know you have a drinking problem when: a sixty mile round trip is a 'short drive' for a bottle of hooch

I can't find the link at the moment, but the other day, July 4, 2013 :
Other liquor stores started objecting to the fact that some stores could be open based upon their proximity to a neighboring state on sundays...

Their logic was that it wasn't fair that they could be open and then they in effect were having the same economic impact and unfair competition as the stores near the state lines.
In effect a ripple of complaints. The stores now more mid state were bitchin that they were loosing sunday business cause the stores near the lines could be open and they couldn't.

So in effect they were pointing out that all the law has done was give a boost to the stores near state lines and screwed the rest of them...

Why the citizens of the state enacted the laws in the first place was and is lost on everyone....

I mean where do you draw the line?

C

But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."