Comments on: Mandatory In-Car Breathalyzers Coming? http://blog.motorists.org/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/ News For Drivers Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:12:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Mike http://blog.motorists.org/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/comment-page-2/#comment-15355 Mike Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:00:46 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/duidwi/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/#comment-15355 I grew up during the cold war when everyone was suspected of being a communist (Thank you Joe McCarthy) I was a young man during the drug wars and the appointment of the first “Drug Czar” (Thank you George H. W. Bush” I was a grown man when our country embraced Civil Commitment for sex offenders, Megan’s Law, and Jessica’s Law. ) Thank you radical right and U. S. Supreme Court) I was a grown man when our country embraced making it illegal to smoke in public. (Maybe it’s not surprising that Nazi Germany was the most powerful anti-smoking movement in the world in the 1930s and early 1940s.) I was a grown man when our country implemented the “Patriot Act” (Thank you George W. Bush) Now I am almost a senior citizen and I am not surprised that the powers to be will attack drinker. They already take pictures of us in intersections and then send us traffic tickets. I have had the opportunity and the privilege to travel to a country in Eastern Europe. I can tell you all that they have far more freedoms then we ever dreamed of. So when I see articles like this the following always comes to mind: First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew; Then they came for the Drug Dealers, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Drug Dealer; Then they came for the Sex Offenders, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Sex Offender; Then they came for the Smokers, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Smoker; Then they came for the Terrorists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Terrorist; Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me. 'Those who would sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither' - Benjamin Franklin I grew up during the cold war when everyone was suspected of being a communist (Thank you Joe McCarthy)

I was a young man during the drug wars and the appointment of the first “Drug Czar” (Thank you George H. W. Bush”

I was a grown man when our country embraced Civil Commitment for sex offenders, Megan’s Law, and Jessica’s Law. ) Thank you radical right and U. S. Supreme Court)

I was a grown man when our country embraced making it illegal to smoke in public. (Maybe it’s not surprising that Nazi Germany was the most powerful anti-smoking movement in the world in the 1930s and early 1940s.)

I was a grown man when our country implemented the “Patriot Act” (Thank you George W. Bush)

Now I am almost a senior citizen and I am not surprised that the powers to be will attack drinker. They already take pictures of us in intersections and then send us traffic tickets.

I have had the opportunity and the privilege to travel to a country in Eastern Europe. I can tell you all that they have far more freedoms then we ever dreamed of. So when I see articles like this the following always comes to mind:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew; Then they came for the Drug Dealers, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Drug Dealer; Then they came for the Sex Offenders, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Sex Offender; Then they came for the Smokers, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Smoker; Then they came for the Terrorists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Terrorist; Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.

‘Those who would sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither’ – Benjamin Franklin

]]> By: d http://blog.motorists.org/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/comment-page-2/#comment-15302 d Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:20:09 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/duidwi/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/#comment-15302 two of my really good friends were in a car accident 2 days before our high school graduation. the girl buckled up in the passenger seat was killed instantly when the car hit the tree. the girl driving, not buckled, was thrown from the car and lived. she was both drunk and speeding at the time. as a friend to both girls, it was a tough situation to see. i drive by the cross of Jena everyday. it reminds me of what a terrible tragedy drunk driving causes. after some time passed was able to talk to my other friend about how she felt about the breathalyzer situation [i was doing a paper] and she even said to me that she wished they were mandatory in every car because then she couldnt have driven that night. to see her go through all the court dates and trials hurt a lot. losing a friend to drunk driving hurt even more. until you are personally effected by a drunk driving accident, it seems as though your privacy would come first. but what about that guy who just got fired and went to a bar all night, then decided to drive home, but being too drunk to drive, hit your child, parent or friend? what if it could have been prevented by a simple built-in feature in your car? would you do it then? its not an invasion of privacy anyway. if youre clean an sober, you should be proud that you are smart enough to make right choices and go ahead and drive. then you can feel safer and be glad to know that those not making the wise decisions will hopefully be a lot less likely to be on the road, a threat to you or anyone else. two of my really good friends were in a car accident 2 days before our high school graduation. the girl buckled up in the passenger seat was killed instantly when the car hit the tree. the girl driving, not buckled, was thrown from the car and lived. she was both drunk and speeding at the time. as a friend to both girls, it was a tough situation to see. i drive by the cross of Jena everyday. it reminds me of what a terrible tragedy drunk driving causes. after some time passed was able to talk to my other friend about how she felt about the breathalyzer situation [i was doing a paper] and she even said to me that she wished they were mandatory in every car because then she couldnt have driven that night. to see her go through all the court dates and trials hurt a lot. losing a friend to drunk driving hurt even more. until you are personally effected by a drunk driving accident, it seems as though your privacy would come first. but what about that guy who just got fired and went to a bar all night, then decided to drive home, but being too drunk to drive, hit your child, parent or friend? what if it could have been prevented by a simple built-in feature in your car? would you do it then? its not an invasion of privacy anyway. if youre clean an sober, you should be proud that you are smart enough to make right choices and go ahead and drive. then you can feel safer and be glad to know that those not making the wise decisions will hopefully be a lot less likely to be on the road, a threat to you or anyone else.

]]> By: jazzman http://blog.motorists.org/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/comment-page-2/#comment-15203 jazzman Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:03:33 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/duidwi/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/#comment-15203 I would'nt expect any sort of device to ever make it to market. The states will do backdoor lobbying to block any effort to make these mandatory in cars. Especially now with the states strapped for cash. DUI's are a cash cow for them why would they want these devices this is not a new idea this has been around since the first breathalyzers. But alcohol is an easy target. Let's lock up all the texters like the one who totaled my car. We should just lock up everyone who does'nt drive 35 m.p.h with their hands at 10 and 2. I bet we could get accidents way down that way. I would’nt expect any sort of device to ever make it to market. The states will do backdoor lobbying to block any effort to make these mandatory in cars. Especially now with the states strapped for cash. DUI’s are a cash cow for them why would they want these devices this is not a new idea this has been around since the first breathalyzers. But alcohol is an easy target. Let’s lock up all the texters like the one who totaled my car. We should just lock up everyone who does’nt drive 35 m.p.h with their hands at 10 and 2. I bet we could get accidents way down that way.

]]> By: Mark http://blog.motorists.org/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/comment-page-2/#comment-14104 Mark Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:29:46 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/duidwi/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/#comment-14104 Most of the people posting here have had no direct experience with a DUI. There is an ever increasing trend in this country of criminalizing any action that "they" don't like. Drinking is one of those. Breathalizers are not about safety; they are about $$$. There is a whole industry making billions of dollars each year on DUI including governments. I am not being cynical. Anyone who has first hand knowledge of the process instantly realizes this fact. There is no desire to prevent repeat offenses just assess financial and freedom penalties. Many states have taken due process out of the process of determining whether a person was driving under the influence. The DMV processes DUI as an administrative issue in many states whether or not the criminal courts find the defendant innocent. They revoke licenses and assess fines even if the driver is found innocent. This continual erosion of our rights granted by our forefathers is what is destroying our country. Many posters to this forum seem okay with that fact. The phrase "if you haven't done anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about" is very dangerous. It has led to many fascist regimes. The truth is that many innocent people are denied due process because of these draconian DUI laws. Breathalyzers/interlock devices are prone to errors that can deny you the chance to pick up your kids when it is getting dark or prevent you from going to work or receiving emergency medical attention. These situations may seem extreme, but they are actual events that have happened. You can't have the analyzer too hot or cold or it will not work. Watch out for medicine, mouthwash or many other substances. What happens if your battery is dead and you need a jump? It is considered a bypass and the car could be locked-out. These devices are far from perfect which is an assumption many posters are making. No person with any common sense advocates people driving under the influence. I certainly don't, but there needs to be some personal responsibility here. We do not need the state telling us how to live our lives and what to do. These are not the principles that this country was founded. I have seen many hard working people that are not drunks get caught up into the system where it has significantly affected their lives. These people did not get into accidents or kill people. They were just unlucky enough to be over some predetermined limit or demand to their right to due process. The problem is not the occasional drinker but the impaired driver. This may be due to alcohol, drugs, cell phones, computers, lack of sleep, food, makeup, iPods, children, or even bad drivers. I see more dangerous situations that are because of non-drug/alcohol when I am driving. Alcohol makes an easy target. Adding interlock devices will not have any major impact on reducing accidents it will just create more criminals and $$$ for the government. I am not cynical. I am just a realist after seeing and helping people in this situation. These devices assume that we are incapable of making our own decisions. Granted that some people do not make wise choices, but do we really want this country to evolve to one that there are a few people in DC that know best for us and will decide how we should live and what we should do? We are heading that way. Remember the USSR and the Politburo? Most of the people posting here have had no direct experience with a DUI. There is an ever increasing trend in this country of criminalizing any action that “they” don’t like. Drinking is one of those. Breathalizers are not about safety; they are about $$$. There is a whole industry making billions of dollars each year on DUI including governments. I am not being cynical. Anyone who has first hand knowledge of the process instantly realizes this fact. There is no desire to prevent repeat offenses just assess financial and freedom penalties.

Many states have taken due process out of the process of determining whether a person was driving under the influence. The DMV processes DUI as an administrative issue in many states whether or not the criminal courts find the defendant innocent. They revoke licenses and assess fines even if the driver is found innocent. This continual erosion of our rights granted by our forefathers is what is destroying our country. Many posters to this forum seem okay with that fact. The phrase “if you haven’t done anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about” is very dangerous. It has led to many fascist regimes.

The truth is that many innocent people are denied due process because of these draconian DUI laws. Breathalyzers/interlock devices are prone to errors that can deny you the chance to pick up your kids when it is getting dark or prevent you from going to work or receiving emergency medical attention. These situations may seem extreme, but they are actual events that have happened. You can’t have the analyzer too hot or cold or it will not work. Watch out for medicine, mouthwash or many other substances. What happens if your battery is dead and you need a jump? It is considered a bypass and the car could be locked-out. These devices are far from perfect which is an assumption many posters are making.

No person with any common sense advocates people driving under the influence. I certainly don’t, but there needs to be some personal responsibility here. We do not need the state telling us how to live our lives and what to do. These are not the principles that this country was founded. I have seen many hard working people that are not drunks get caught up into the system where it has significantly affected their lives. These people did not get into accidents or kill people. They were just unlucky enough to be over some predetermined limit or demand to their right to due process.

The problem is not the occasional drinker but the impaired driver. This may be due to alcohol, drugs, cell phones, computers, lack of sleep, food, makeup, iPods, children, or even bad drivers. I see more dangerous situations that are because of non-drug/alcohol when I am driving. Alcohol makes an easy target. Adding interlock devices will not have any major impact on reducing accidents it will just create more criminals and $$$ for the government.

I am not cynical. I am just a realist after seeing and helping people in this situation. These devices assume that we are incapable of making our own decisions. Granted that some people do not make wise choices, but do we really want this country to evolve to one that there are a few people in DC that know best for us and will decide how we should live and what we should do? We are heading that way. Remember the USSR and the Politburo?

]]> By: Blackie http://blog.motorists.org/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/comment-page-2/#comment-14102 Blackie Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:18:18 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/duidwi/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/#comment-14102 This is about a breathalyzer in the car, right? Not about guns and all .... Anyway. More "normal" people get behind the wheel of a car after 2 - 3 drinks, than not. Not a felon, not somebody that's an alcoholic, not someone that is driving drunk readily, just a normal person going for a drink after work, before he/she goes home. That analyser will just let you wait an hour or 6 before you can turn the key. If you're not drunk or over the legal limit, off you go. Where does it impact you as a person? It's in the privacy of your own car for crying out loud. If you think it will impact you as a person, then sorry, you're a very sad person to be offended with little things in life like this that can save you or someone elses life. I don't think it's just another way the government want to reign control, I think it is beneficial for everyone. Most people think after 2 drinks they're fine to drive. Even if you think you can "handle your alcohol". I think this just saves the trouble of people thinking they are okay to drive to those that really are okay. (Oh, and by the way - James Young - the people in the fast cars are usually the ones that, when they crash, (and they do) they always take a few innocent people along with them, crashing into them, I mean. This is about a breathalyzer in the car, right? Not about guns and all …. Anyway. More “normal” people get behind the wheel of a car after 2 – 3 drinks, than not. Not a felon, not somebody that’s an alcoholic, not someone that is driving drunk readily, just a normal person going for a drink after work, before he/she goes home. That analyser will just let you wait an hour or 6 before you can turn the key. If you’re not drunk or over the legal limit, off you go. Where does it impact you as a person? It’s in the privacy of your own car for crying out loud. If you think it will impact you as a person, then sorry, you’re a very sad person to be offended with little things in life like this that can save you or someone elses life. I don’t think it’s just another way the government want to reign control, I think it is beneficial for everyone. Most people think after 2 drinks they’re fine to drive. Even if you think you can “handle your alcohol”. I think this just saves the trouble of people thinking they are okay to drive to those that really are okay. (Oh, and by the way – James Young – the people in the fast cars are usually the ones that, when they crash, (and they do) they always take a few innocent people along with them, crashing into them, I mean.

]]> By: Lisa http://blog.motorists.org/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/comment-page-2/#comment-13841 Lisa Tue, 12 May 2009 18:14:49 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/duidwi/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/#comment-13841 I agree that it is unfair to assume that everyone is stupid enough to get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated. However, while you and I are relatively intelligent people, many others aren't. And I think that it's entirely worth it! I don't consider it giving up a freedom. If you don't drink and drive, you have nothing to worry about! And, like you said, the checkpoints have a habit of finding only the sober people. Do you have any idea how many slammed drivers manage to fly under the radar? I have family who likes more than their fair share of alcohol and still decide to drive at the end of the day. They've just never been caught! I don't care about having to breath into a little tube to prove that I haven't been drinking. Particularly if I haven't been drinking! I just feel better on the road knowing that the poeple who aren't quite as smart as you or I have a little extra help when trying to tell right from wrong! I agree that it is unfair to assume that everyone is stupid enough to get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated. However, while you and I are relatively intelligent people, many others aren’t. And I think that it’s entirely worth it!

I don’t consider it giving up a freedom. If you don’t drink and drive, you have nothing to worry about! And, like you said, the checkpoints have a habit of finding only the sober people. Do you have any idea how many slammed drivers manage to fly under the radar? I have family who likes more than their fair share of alcohol and still decide to drive at the end of the day. They’ve just never been caught!

I don’t care about having to breath into a little tube to prove that I haven’t been drinking. Particularly if I haven’t been drinking! I just feel better on the road knowing that the poeple who aren’t quite as smart as you or I have a little extra help when trying to tell right from wrong!

]]> By: John http://blog.motorists.org/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/comment-page-2/#comment-13477 John Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:53:15 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/duidwi/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/#comment-13477 "If we do something wrong, we get specifically held accountable for it; the guy next door who had nothing to do with it isn’t dragged along for the ride. But that’s just what is happening here" I completely disagree with you it's not about society being "dumbed-down" like you say most people agree because they fear for their lives when they go out on the road knowing they could get killed by someone who's drunk at any given point in time, and contrary to what you may think not all drunk drivers are "evil people who don't care about anything and are out on suicidal missions" they might just be any person who had a bad day and this technology will prevent them from having an even worse day or life. sure we'll have to pay a bit more for the new technology but hell how many lives do you think this will save? You need to stop and think "What if tomorrow someone in my family dies in a car accident caused by someone who was drunk?" Maybe they wouldn't have died if this new technology had stopped that drunk from turning on the engine of the moving weapon they just got in. “If we do something wrong, we get specifically held accountable for it; the guy next door who had nothing to do with it isn’t dragged along for the ride. But that’s just what is happening here”

I completely disagree with you it’s not about society being “dumbed-down” like you say most people agree because they fear for their lives when they go out on the road knowing they could get killed by someone who’s drunk at any given point in time, and contrary to what you may think not all drunk drivers are “evil people who don’t care about anything and are out on suicidal missions” they might just be any person who had a bad day and this technology will prevent them from having an even worse day or life.

sure we’ll have to pay a bit more for the new technology but hell how many lives do you think this will save?

You need to stop and think “What if tomorrow someone in my family dies in a car accident caused by someone who was drunk?” Maybe they wouldn’t have died if this new technology had stopped that drunk from turning on the engine of the moving weapon they just got in.

]]> By: mary http://blog.motorists.org/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/comment-page-2/#comment-13415 mary Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:53:27 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/duidwi/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/#comment-13415 doing this would be assanine. if someone is on the border of .08 they coudln't drive home even if they were fine. i think the problem is more dumb drivers. harder road tests would make better drivers. i consider myself to be a responsible driver, but i took 5 lessons then passed my roadtest. that scares me who could be driving next to me. there are people much more competent driving with a bac of .08 than some sober drivers will ever be! doing this would be assanine. if someone is on the border of .08 they coudln’t drive home even if they were fine. i think the problem is more dumb drivers. harder road tests would make better drivers. i consider myself to be a responsible driver, but i took 5 lessons then passed my roadtest. that scares me who could be driving next to me. there are people much more competent driving with a bac of .08 than some sober drivers will ever be!

]]> By: Patty Currington http://blog.motorists.org/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/comment-page-2/#comment-12962 Patty Currington Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:59:06 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/duidwi/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/#comment-12962 Mr. Peters, I am looking into the detection system as being a part of an intervention for a client. If it is possible for him to have this product installed in the family car, it would be the difference between the children living at home or in foster care. If available could you send information on how to obtain this product. Or send what ever information you have. I would greatly appreciate it. Patricia Currington, MSSA, LSW Child Welfare Caseworker Trumbull Co. Children Services Board Mr. Peters,
I am looking into the detection system as being a part of an intervention for a client. If it is possible for him to have this product installed in the family car, it would be the difference between the children living at home or in foster care. If available could you send information on how to obtain this product. Or send what ever information you have. I would greatly appreciate it.

Patricia Currington, MSSA, LSW
Child Welfare Caseworker
Trumbull Co. Children Services Board

]]> By: Erick Morales-Perez http://blog.motorists.org/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/comment-page-2/#comment-11550 Erick Morales-Perez Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:14:12 +0000 http://www.motorists.org/blog/duidwi/mandatory-in-car-breathalyzers-coming/#comment-11550 "I dislike drunk drivers as much as Mothers Against Drunk Driving. . ." Did you mean that you - also - dislike "Mothers Against Drunk Driving" or that you dislike drunk drivers as much as Mothers Against Drunk Driving do. “I dislike drunk drivers as much as Mothers Against Drunk Driving. . .”
Did you mean that you – also – dislike “Mothers Against Drunk Driving” or that you dislike drunk drivers as much as Mothers Against Drunk Driving do.

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