Should drunk drivers be executed?

[IronBrig4]

Edit: In light of responses, I would like to say that I'm only talking about the drunks who actually cause damage.

Before I get started, let me tell you that I'm not one of those prohibitionists. I don't think alcohol is the devil's brew, and I enjoy the occasional pint. I tend to dislike people when they're drunk, but I also realize that drunks can be very, very funny.

That being said, I ****ing HATE drunk drivers. I'm not talking about a strong dislike; I downright hate them with every fiber of my being. During this time of year, there are a lot of DUI arrests. These idiots drink too much at their holiday parties and decide to drive home. On the way back, they tend to hit other cars or run over pedestrians.

I don't have a problem with people getting drunk. It's the holidays, so it's customary to imbibe a bit too much. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Even if they drink so much that they pass out on the couch, that's their business. When they get behind the wheel, though, that's when they cross the line. They not only put themselves at risk, but others as well. Any idiot who gets into the car with an inebriated driver is stupidly taking a risk, but the people the drunk maims or kills are usually just minding their own business. Those worthless scum often walk away from those wrecks as well. They seem to be utterly immune to karma.

Drunk drivers are the reason why I can never be a police officer. My undergraduate degree was in criminal justice, and I have passed the entrance exams to both the sheriff's and local police departments. I am qualified, but I cannot deal with drunk drivers. My first instinct is to throw them under an 18-wheeler. I don't think they deserve a second chance, because they put others at risk. A couple months ago, one of my friends and his family got hit by a drunk driver. The son of a ***** didn't even have the decency to stop.

A visiting police officer in one of my classes told us about a particular tragic DUI case. On Christmas Eve, a local family decided to pick up their Christmas tree. The father and both kids went to the tree lot, while the mother stayed behind and prepared Christmas Eve dinner. On the way back, the father and kids were killed by yet another drunk driver. Again, the bastard sped away and was found hours later. The officer's task that night was to visit the mother and tell her that her family was dead.

Give me one good reason, just one, why drunk drivers like those mentioned above should not be gutted. They're a waste of oxygen.

[Dayman]

Obviously they shouldn't be killed, but I do think that the punishment should be severe.

[HopliteElite]

I don't think they deserve a second chance, because they put others at risk.

You won't like to hear it, as you clearly hate drunk drivers but I got a dui when I was 19. I lost my license for a year and a half, and had rediculous amounts of lawyer and court fees to pay as well. I have not driven drunk since nor do I ever plan to. I am an example of a person that learned his lesson and now I am a college student with a 3.9 gpa. Should I have been executed for making one dumb mistake as a young man? You need to understand that sometimes a dui is just that, a very dumb singular mistake. You need to get past the bias you feel that anyone arrested on dui is a soulless public menace because this is untrue. Most duis are first time offenses, committed by people that immediately regret what they've done and never do it again. There are very few repeat offenders that fit the picture you've painted of all people arrested on dui charges.

[GrnEyedDvl]

I am a big proponent of the death penalty, but only for premeditated murder. A drunk driver that kills someone is guilty of negligence, not premeditation.

That being said, we should definitely have MUCH harsher penalties for it.

You won't like to hear it, as you clearly hate drunk drivers but I got a dui when I was 19. I lost my license for a year and a half, and had rediculous amounts of lawyer and court fees to pay as well.

Unless you were out more than 10-12 thousand dollars, more if you actually hit someone, then I wouldnt call what you paid ridiculous. The cost of prosecuting you, jail time, setting up check points, all the equipment and tests, is well over that. Most especially considering the fact that you werent even of legal drinking age assuming you live in the US. Then they should also go after whoever is responsible for the alcohol getting into the hands of a minor.

I have not driven drunk since nor do I ever plan to. I am an example of a person that learned his lesson and now I am a college student with a 3.9 gpa.

Glad to hear it.

Should I have been executed for making one dumb mistake as a young man? You need to understand that sometimes a dui is just that, a very dumb singular mistake. You need to get past the bias you feel that anyone arrested on dui is a soulless public menace because this is untrue.

One of the stupidest mistakes you can make, which is why I think the monetary penalties should be much higher. As for soulless public menace, soulless I will leave for another debate, the public menace part is absolutely true considering that drunks cause somewhere around 17,000 deaths annually, far more than say people with guns.
http://www.alcoholalert.com/drunk-dr...tatistics.html

Most duis are first time offenses, committed by people that immediately regret what they've done and never do it again. There are very few repeat offenders that fit the picture you've painted of all people arrested on dui charges.

Thats partially true, the same site lists repeat offenders at %20 percent.

[Bond]

Kill people for driving drunk. Brilliant idea

[Captain Arrrgh!]

Kill people for driving drunk. Brilliant idea

Let's just kill people.
Period.

[joerd9]

You won't like to hear it, as you clearly hate drunk drivers but I got a dui when I was 19. I lost my license for a year and a half, and had rediculous amounts of lawyer and court fees to pay as well. I have not driven drunk since nor do I ever plan to. I am an example of a person that learned his lesson and now I am a college student with a 3.9 gpa. Should I have been executed for making one dumb mistake as a young man? You need to understand that sometimes a dui is just that, a very dumb singular mistake. You need to get past the bias you feel that anyone arrested on dui is a soulless public menace because this is untrue. Most duis are first time offenses, committed by people that immediately regret what they've done and never do it again. There are very few repeat offenders that fit the picture you've painted of all people arrested on dui charges.

QFT. Has been similar for me. I was slightly over my country's limit and I had to take the bus for "only" 3 months and had to pay an actually quite moderate penalty, yet it was enough to convince me to make sure I'm sober when I start my car. And I'm sure there are plenty of people who make that mistake when they're young, and learn from it.

[humvee2800]

Ummm... drunk drivers drive drunk because they are drunk... that's what alcohol does to a person's mind... it numbs any sense of responsibility that we might feel to our fellow man. Drunk drivers really don't feel like they're doing any wrong... why? Because they're DRUNK! Is it that hard to understand? Of course, there are people who get drunk who are still aware of their responsibilities, but I bet every person, at one point in their lives, gets drunk and feels like driving drunk is no biggie.

You evidently have very little experience with drunks, drinking impares judgement, but saying people are incapable of making proper decisions even if they are responsible is wrong.

When I was a kid one of the things which made me truly respect responsibility is seeing some random guys dad drunk and acting stupid and my dad drunk as well but always calling for a ride home, no matter what.

So you think if a drunk man makes the mistake of driving they are automatically unable to be blamed for killing someone? it is a side effect of your arguement that people can not be held responsible for there actions when under the influence.

This is a major reason why I think drug laws are idiotic. The punishments are so severe, yet people keep doing drugs. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING DRUGS! People don't have a sense of fear or responsibility when they're sniffing cocaine. It's just so stupid.

Again idiotic, drugs do not instantly make you incapable of realising fear or responsibility twenty four hours a day.



That being said execution is a little harsh.

[Safekeeper]

It's their car, their body, and their personal choice, and you can't tell them how to live their lives just because a pedestrian might get hit and feel some mild discomfort. I hate it when people pretend to know better than others what's best for them. Next you'll come into our houses making sure we don't go to bed too late. Stupid nanny state. Why do you hate America etc. etc. etc.

Seriously, though, death penalty, or other penalties, aren't the answer. I'm not saying drunk driving should be legal or not punished, but punishment is not going to end the problem. You can be as determined not to drive drunk as you want, but that doesn't matter - once you're drunk, you're not thinking clearly and decide you can drive, because you overestimate yourself and because leaving your car and taking the bus seems silly ('I'm not that drunk, I can drive just fine, accidents happen to everyone else', etc.).

I hate alcoholism and drunk driving myself, but if you want to end drunk driving, you have to do things like supporting the implementation of cars that only start if you pass a breathalyser test built into the ignition system, and encouraging car-pooling with designated drivers. Slamming your fist on the table and yelling 'No!' at the top of your voice while threatening jail time and what's worse isn't going to help, any more than abstinence-only education preaching the sinfulness of fornication is going to do anything to STD rates.

You evidently have very little experience with drunks, drinking impairs judgment, but saying people are incapable of making proper decisions even if they are responsible is wrong.

But many are, your father notwithstanding. When people do stupid things they wouldn't have done while sober, it's because the alcohol is affecting their judgment.

This is a major reason why I think drug laws are idiotic. The punishments are so severe, yet people keep doing drugs. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING DRUGS! People don't have a sense of fear or responsibility when they're sniffing cocaine. It's just so stupid.

That, and the addiction. It's hard to respect the law of the land when you've got craving for your next fix tearing your body apart. I've never been addicted myself, luckily, but I've understood that quitting drugs isn't as easy as deciding to do it and living happily ever after.

no just build cars like tanks, drink n be marry with life.

Indeed, let's all drive Humvees or even Abrams tanks. Why am I not allowed to drive a tank again? It's a violation of my 2nd amendment rights (note: I don't live in the US anymore)!

Researchers have recently developed a very effective auto drive system that uses fairly common GPS navigation equipment, along with front and rear laser sensors. (to assess how fast the vehicle in front and behind of you is going). I'll try and find the article for you, but I never have enough patients to search for things like this for too long.

Upcoming technology in this field is nothing short of awesome. Deserving of its own thread, but I keep putting off posting it.

[the_mango55]

Most duis are first time offenses, committed by people that immediately regret what they've done and never do it again. There are very few repeat offenders that fit the picture you've painted of all people arrested on dui charges.

There's no way that's accurate. Maybe most DUI's are the first time they have been caught, but most people who get a DUI have driven drunk before, most likely many times.

And they immediately regret getting caught, and they vow to never be caught again because it costs them money and driving privileges.

[Siblesz]

Ummm... drunk drivers drive drunk because they are drunk... that's what alcohol does to a person's mind... it numbs any sense of responsibility that we might feel to our fellow man. Drunk drivers really don't feel like they're doing any wrong... why? Because they're DRUNK! Is it that hard to understand? Of course, there are people who get drunk who are still aware of their responsibilities, but I bet every person, at one point in their lives, gets drunk and feels like driving drunk is no biggie.

This is a major reason why I think drug laws are idiotic. The punishments are so severe, yet people keep doing drugs. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING DRUGS! People don't have a sense of fear or responsibility when they're sniffing cocaine. It's just so stupid.

[GrnEyedDvl]

This is a major reason why I think drug laws are idiotic. The punishments are so severe, yet people keep doing drugs. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING DRUGS! People don't have a sense of fear or responsibility when they're sniffing cocaine. It's just so stupid.

Then remove the alcohol/drug laws?

[Dayman]

People don't have a sense of fear or responsibility when they're sniffing cocaine. It's just so stupid.

I can say from past experience that you do. Actually, fear is worse when you're on a drug that makes you paranoid.

[Siblesz]

I can say from past experience that you do. Actually, fear is worse when you're on a drug that makes you paranoid.

That's why people drive at 30mph on a 50mph road when they are high.

[Dayman]

That's why people drive at 30mph on a 50mph road when they are high.

You haven't been in cars with people I know when we did these crazy things.

And then you get pulled over. Heart attack waiting to happen.

[Amorphos]

lols at sibs



no just build cars like tanks, drink n be marry with life.

seriously though, at worst if they kill by driving badly then they should be done for murder? hmm actually i don’t think that would be murder as they are not meaning to kill. but execution woah no.

[kev-o]

Take away their drivers license for a loooooooooong time.

[kev-o]

Alcohol yes. Drugs no.

[Banned]

"I went to a party, Mom"
I went to a party, and remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom
so I had a sprite instead.
I felt proud of myself, the way you said I would,
that I didn't drink and drive,
though some friends said I should.
I made a healthy choice,
and your advice to me was right
as the party finally ended,
and the kids drove out of sight.
I got into my car, sure to get home in one piece,
I never knew what was coming, Mom
something I expected least.
Now I'm lying on the pavement,
And I hear the policeman say,
The kid that caused this wreck was drunk,"
Mom, His voice seems far away.
My own blood's all around me, as I try hard not to cry.
I can hear the paramedic say,
This girl is going to die."
I'm sure the guy had no idea, while he was flying high,
because he chose to drink and drive,
now I would have to die.
So why do people do it, Mom
Knowing that it ruins lives?
And now the pain is cutting me,
like a hundred stabbing knives.
Tell sister not to be afraid, Mom
tell daddy to be brave, and when I go to heaven,
put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.
Someone should have taught him,
that its wrong to drink and drive.
Maybe if his parents had, I'd still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom
I'm getting really scared. These are my final moments, and I'm so unprepared.
I wish that you could hold me Mom,
as I lie here and die.
I wish that I could say I love you, Mom
So I love you and good-bye.

[Chlodwig I.]

I think the problem is that in many countrys it is still an excuse if you commit a crime under drug/alcohol influence and you often get a shorter/lighter (?) sentence penalty at court

I think thats plain dumb
everyone knows that drugs/alcohol influence your behaviour and that you can loose selfcontroll under drug/alcohol influence.
So if you take these substances you should be fully responsible for everything that you do under the influence of these substances
because it was your choice to take these substances.

So a drunk/drug driver kills someone in an accident
to me thats manslaughter