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Is a drink driving killing murder? : Comments
By William Spaul, published 27/4/2012Drink driving is more than negligence - should it be criminalised?
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A good man knows when he's had enough. We also know that the brains of folk under 26 or thereabouts haven't finished fully developing, and may be prevented from ever doing so by the too liberal use of alcohol! Perhaps the legal age limit should be raised to say 25?
Apart from delayed or prevented development, what are the downsides of the too liberal use of alcohol? Liver damage, early onset dementia, diabetes, antisocial behaviour, divorce, estranged families and poverty. Just to mention the most glaringly obvious.
As for imposing murder charges on drunk drivers who kill? What about arsonists who cold dead sober light fires; that in too many instances led to multiple and horrendous deaths? Besides, are there any other legal or illegal substances that reduce or eliminate normal inhibitions?
What about the doctor who has just completed a 24 hour shift, is fatigued and fighting sleep; and consequently, has less control than a completely smashed drunk?
I believe the legal level could be reduced to 0.03 as suggested, and perhaps drinkers over that limit could/should lose more than their licence? Perhaps if the car was also confiscated and sold at public auction to beef up a compensation fund for victims, who are not killed but damaged to the point, where they need 24/7 lifetime high care?
Our prisons are already overfill with drug addicts and the mentally unwell! Incarcerating drunk drivers who take lives, and the toll is very high, would leave a lot less room for those who deliberately and cold-bloodedly take life!
I'm inclined to agree with the author, but would propose permanent exile in a willing third world country, as another and perhaps more appropriate less expensive whole of life outcome? Rhrosty.