Drunk Drivers
 

Night before last a drunk driver got in his truck, drove the wrong way on the interstate and killed 5 people, including 4 children here in Toledo. This family was from Maryland. It's all over the news here. Very sad.

This guy will without a doubt spend time in prison for this. I really feel like this is the right thing. But at the same time, there is a part of me that wants to say that he didn't do what he did maliciously. He has a terrible disease - alcoholism. Should he pay for his crime? Absolutely? But should he pay for it mixed in with hardened criminals? Is that serving any good purpose? I don't know.

What do you all think?

As someone who lost my Adopted Sister to a drunk driver the night after halloween and left behind a 2 year old little girl. I would say "Yes" they deserve the strictest punishment possible and if it is with hardened criminals I do not care! I still remember going to the hospital at my Mom's request (she was working and thought perhaps Mary would need family there to comfort her) As soon as I got there the police ushered me into a private room and told me she had died. The policeman had to excuse himself as he started to cry. It was the worst experience. I know I sound uncaring for the drunk, but when it touches your life directly it really does put a different slant on the whole drinking and driving thing. You know I don't care if someone want's to get drunk and blasted out of their "pea pickin" minds, just DON'T DRIVE!!!

My only brother was killed by a drunk driver.........who choose to drink and drive knowing the penalty...................yes to a stiff sentence.No slap on the wrist and don't do it again!!

I was hit three times by a drunk driver over the years.
The last time which gave me injuries which plague me to this day.

I don't believe it is a disease.

It is an issue of will power. Some just exercise that will power in the right way.

Plus, (I will be crucified for this) the penalties are not stiff enough.

In Norway, first offense is a five year ban on driving, second is 10 years, third
lifetime.

In Bulgaria they use to take them to the side of the road where 1 bullet did the trick to get drunk drivers off the road.
While I don't advocate killing people we are too lenient in North America.

All Drunk Drivers that hit me all got off on "Technicalities!"

I was hit by a drunk driver and have the aches and pains still everytime it gets cold and the weather changes.

He was not even penalized. I didn't die. Many people have life complications but they are not a death count so they get ignored.

I leave the justice of it in God's hands.

I understand what Margie is saying, but I also know they made a choice before they drank. I understand they lose their reasoning once drunk also.

I don't put them in the same catergory as a murder who went with intent to kill.

Margie your kind heart....you have compassion, but I think its in the wrong place....the person choose to drink and then climb into a 5000 pound weapon....those people he hit will never recover from what has happened. I think when people drink and drive they need to be locked up for a long time and then it should be mandatory that they NEVER drive again, and that they must take medication that will make them violently ill if they do drink for the rest of their lives....Sister thousands of people die every year, and are seriously injured to drunk driving...as to it being a desease.....they didn't catch it or come down with it the choose to drink....addicted or not...he killed innocent people...

PS...sorry I don't have a lot of compassion for drunk drivers.....really I don't

I believe that alcoholism is a sickness. i do not believe drinking and driving is a sickness.

Alcoholics can find a way to not drive.

Anyone who drinks and drives should be treated as a hardned criminal. First offense should be a felony with a minimum of a year in prison.... and I dont mean the local slammer, I mean the BIG HOUSE.

Second offense should be treated as attempted murder

third offense should be treated the way California treats all 3 strike offenders. life in prison.

I think that is too harsh. People do make mistakes. Some can never get over what they have done once they sober up and wouldn't touch another drink.

Some don't.

I know its harsh....sorry if it hurts, but what happens to those they hurt and kill, I think that is even harsher....

Yes it is. But I know the scripture says to judge according to how you want to be judged. I want MERCY.