Drink driving

cheapscate

Officer_Dibble wrote: »

like all of the favourite witch-hunt targets it needs to be put into context.

What 'context'??? My dh was nearly killed by an alcoholic who drove across the central reservation (incidently he - the alcoholic- died at the scene). I do not see the condemnation of drink drivers as a 'favourite witch-hunt'.

Officer_Dibble

cheapscate wrote: »

What 'context'???

The context that's in the rest of my post. The concentration on drink drivers (evil other people doing evil things that we'd never do) means that we "good" people continue to drive in a way that are just as likely to lead to accidents.

What percentage of road deaths in the UK do you think are drink related? Would you be surprised to find it's 13% (government estimate, 2000)? Don't you think that the concentration on and demonisation of those involved in that 13% could mean that we're not vigilant enough about the 87% of road deaths where drink isn't a factor? Or do you prefer Daily Mail style easy answers?

Another interesting stat - if a driver drove home 10 miles once a week at twice the legal limit, on average he would have a serious accident once every 408 years. That amazed me when I first heard it. It doesn't excuse the drink driver, it doesn't mean that I don't want him to be caught and have his licence removed. It does, though, put it into context.

cheapscate

According to ROSPA Drink-drive deaths account for one in six road deaths and 11 PEOPLE ARE KILLED BY DRINK DRIVERS ON UK ROADS EVERY WEEK

Behind these statistics are real people whose lives have been shattered.

The fact that people do other stupid things on the road that endanger life does not mean that drink driving should not be condemned. If you wish to discuss other poor driving practices that is fine but do not down play the impact of drink driving.

I also find your comment

Officer_Dibble wrote: »

do you prefer Daily Mail style easy answers?

offensive – there were no easy answers for me when my husband was pulled from the wreckage of his vehicle or in the suffering he endured in the weeks afterwards. There are no easy answers for the relatives of people killed by drink drivers.


At twice the legal limit, drivers are at least 50 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.

Officer_Dibble

Fair point, apologies for the offence caused.

I think it's most important that the overall level of road accidents/deaths is reduced. The concentration on the 10-13% of accidents that are drink related stops this happening. Do the 87% majority not have their lives shattered too? But lives shattered by failing to check tyre pressure/other poor maintenance/changing CDs, using mobiles, calming fractious tots apparently don't count.

Treadway1

Zara33 wrote: »

I got pulled over in the early hours of Saturday morning, random stop and check I did crap myself...but that's because i have never been stopped before. Anyhow they were lovely chaps

Blimey, dont let the media hear you say that, they'll lynch you.... The Police are all thugish scumbags arent they???

DD1966

xxlaurissaxx wrote: »

Op did you report them? xx

Hi all,
just a quick update to let you know that this irresponsible woman has been reported, don't know yet if the info has been acted on, will keep you posted.

DD1966

SpammyTheSpammer

cheapscate wrote: »

According to ROSPA Drink-drive deaths account for one in six road deaths and 11 PEOPLE ARE KILLED BY DRINK DRIVERS ON UK ROADS EVERY WEEK

So 55 people are killed every week by SOBER DRIVERS? Prevent these non-drinkers from driving and road deaths would fall by over 83%.

(J/K!)

DCodd

DD1966 wrote: »

Hi all,
just a quick update to let you know that this irresponsible woman has been reported, don't know yet if the info has been acted on, will keep you posted.

DD1966

Well done DD1966. :T

peachyprice

DD1966 wrote: »

Hi all,
just a quick update to let you know that this irresponsible woman has been reported, don't know yet if the info has been acted on, will keep you posted.

DD1966

Oooh, I saw a very similar story on the BBC a few weeks ago, I thought of you and was really hoping it was your driver.

DD1966

peachyprice wrote: »

Oooh, I saw a very similar story on the BBC a few weeks ago, I thought of you and was really hoping it was your driver.

I didn't see that program, but i can confirm that it wasn't my driver, i have only recently reported her. will keep you posted though.

DD1966