Archives

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg What do you think? Was the judge's ruling to ban Topa from driving for life too harsh? (http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/judges_lifetime_driving_ban_rhode_island_topa.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Drunk_on_Ethanol.jpgMatt Harrigan - SYRACUSE (http://www.syracuse.com) - Mar 8, 2011

One passenger was in a coma for weeks. --Ed.

A judge decided last week to revoke a Rhode Island teenager's driver's license for life after an October crash injured him and three passengers.

KABC said that 17-year-old Lyle Topa was driving with a suspended license when he crashed into a tree in Charlestown, RI. Prior to the crash, he and his three passengers were at a party where alcohol was consumed.... http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/judges_lifetime_driving_ban_rhode_island_topa.html

The central issue for me is how to deal with DUIs.

It's not limited to alcoholism, but there are a number of behaviors the inDUHviduals know exactly what they are doing, yet persist until they and/or others get hurt. There is a solid history of repeat offenders for DUI.

My proposal is for a convicted DUI offender to be banned from driving for life unless he agrees to never drink again supported with documentation. Since driving is a privilege - not a right, I think the legality is valid. Stipulating the offender to never drink again is because he proved it keeps him from being a safe driver.

No problem with life bans. Certainly, anyone driving while suspended deserves what they get.

I'd be careful about it though. I'm really against punitive sancitions, I just care about prevention and eliminating the danger to others. So, I'd follow up and make sure that they're in a position of not needing a car, can't title, can't register, can't insure, can't get a license, has a state id saying they have a life ban from driving, and make sure that anybody who licenses, titles or registers at the same address is told they can't drive.

I didn't vote: it's justified, but not to make an example of him.

I'm not sure if those suggesting getting tough on DUIs are punitive or they simply lost confidence these alcoholics can't change their behavior.

Agreed, just throwing the book in anger at offenders is a bad idea.

It goes back to the basic question - how do you deal with people committing dangerous behaviors that WON'T STOP?

No easy answers.

I'm not sure if those suggesting getting tough on DUIs are punitive or they simply lost confidence these alcoholics can't change their behavior.

Agreed, just throwing the book in anger at offenders is a bad idea.

It goes back to the basic question - how do you deal with people committing dangerous behaviors that WON'T STOP?

No easy answers.

The answer's easy, but very expensive: you lock them up. It's not so much expensive because it cost x to imprison them since most costs return to the economy, but you're increasing the bureaucratic burden.

The problem is that when you lock people up you're almost giving up them as individuals since the recidivism rate is so high. The question should always be: how can we get a better outcome for everybody else? The answer is very often not prison.

The cost of imprisonment does not help in a solution.

I'm going to reveal my favorite song as of late - the ironic signature song of Amy Winehouse. I might even link No, no, no for future references to gearheads, DUIs, distracted driving, etc.

I wish for creative solutions similar to this. :D

http://www.youtube.com/v/BtMOQywRBYI?version=3

The ban for life is a bit too much, 15 years, and if caught driving again then mandatory jail sentences of 6 months or worse.. send them to a working jail if those still exist. I like the idea of informing the family, co-workers and community that they are not allowed to drive.. and if someone loans them a car then they are responsible. Teenagers are not the safest drivers and being drunk wont improve that.

We can finance this level of prosecution by de-criminalizing pot, and then taxing its sales. The otherwise unemployed law enforcement officers can monitor the roads for unsafe driving and income generation.

Lets also allow a cottage industry of home grown organic pot, lots of people need the additional income. It gives a different meaning to having a backyard full of weeds.

Riding a bike for the rest of my life wouldn't be so bad. There is a lot of stress and expense associated with driving. As for his punishment ; I'm guessing that he was given his suspension by the same judge, who thought he was giving the most severe penalty for the given violation. When young Mr. Topa returned to his courtroom just a few short months later , the judge was flabbergasted that this was even possible. Maybe he did the world a huge favour by banning him for life. But it is a tough call. For the record, I voted for the last option.

When I say I voted for the last option , I didn't mean Herm's last option ! But that is an excellent idea, also.

No problem with life bans. Certainly, anyone driving while suspended deserves what they get.

I'd be careful about it though. I'm really against punitive sancitions, I just care about prevention and eliminating the danger to others. So, I'd follow up and make sure that they're in a position of not needing a car, can't title, can't register, can't insure, can't get a license, has a state id saying they have a life ban from driving, and make sure that anybody who licenses, titles or registers at the same address is told they can't drive.

I didn't vote: it's justified, but not to make an example of him.

Ins. Company sent false information to DMV that I was uninsured for the prior six months. My license was promptly suspended.
I was not on a bus route and worked on the opposing end of the next town. It took three months to get sorted out.

When I say I voted for the last option , I didn't mean Herm's last option ! But that is an excellent idea, also.

so you want to put the backyard to some use? :)