posted 04-17-2001 07:39 PM            

we spend all of our time bickering over solutions, and then our 1950s postwar puritanical american dogma takes the better of us, and so we decide the best way to solve any problem is to incarcerate people.

we now incarcerate more people than any other country in the world.

bitchen.

and nothing gets solved.

so here is a solution from a fresh perspective...

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we immediately have *ALL* autombiles retro-fitted with breathalizers hooked up to their ignition.

we make it a law that all new cars must come equipped with breathalizers.

similar to getting your car smogged, you have to go into the breathalizer station every other year to get a certificate that says your breathalizer works properly.

obviously, if you try to drive above .08 alcohol level your car won't start.

there you have it. simple. problem solved.

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let me answer your skeptism before it starts.

1. where do we get the money?

for all new cars it is incorporated into the cost of the vehicle--similar to anti-locking brakes, and air-bags... because these items are now mandatory, the cost of them will be driven down dramatically and we won't feel a thing.

for all retro-fitting, the government pays. they will be saving more money in the long run in medical costs, emergency/civil/police services, as well as the high cost of incarcerating people, plus the cost of the courts, etc... there are probably a dozen other avenues where tax dollars will be saved.

(don't forget, because these items are mandatory the price will be driven DOWN so low that it won't be much.)

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2. But people will just tamper with them so they could drive anyway.

would they?

i mean, come on... would you? or would you just get pissed as hell and catch a cab or walk home.

+ we make them as tamper proof as possible. most people won't try too hard to fuck with it. most people couldn't be bothered. most people don't have the mechanical skills. especially drunks.

+ we now make the penalties for drunk driving ten times more fucking severe because now it is no longer just a stupid drunk manuever to drive drunk, but a willful, premeditated act to violate the law.

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3. people will just get sober people to blow in the breathalizer so they can drive.

come on... i mean, would you? if you were sober would you really blow in someone's breathalizer so they can drive?

you would have to be an idiot.

+ we now make the penalties for drunk driving *AND BLOWING SOBER INTO SOME DRUNK'S BREATHALIZER* ten times more fucking severe because now it is no longer just a stupid drunk manuever to drive drunk, but a willful, premeditated act to violate the law.

+ each breathalizer could take a breath fingerprint of whoever blows into the breathalizer, so if that car crashes, or is caught driving drunk, the blower can very well be caught. he/she is taking a huge risk.

would you?

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4. but what about people high on drugs?

if driving drunk and driving on drugs were analagous to american cities, driving drunk would have the poulation of new york city.

driving under the influence of drugs would have the population of dancer, texas.

+ i'm sure they can figure out a way to solve that problem, too, if they really tried.

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5. what if the breathalizer malfunctions and you are sober and you can't start your car?

what if your battery goes dead? what if your starter goes out? what if you get a flat tire or over heat? it's all part of owning a car in 2K1.

also, quality will rule the market. people will start buying the breathalizers known for not breaking down...sort of like mercedes benz.

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and that's all i can think of.

posted 04-17-2001 07:45 PM            

If it were up for vote, I would vote for it and campaign to get it passed.

It would also do something very important.

posted 04-17-2001 07:49 PM            

i don't know how many times i drive home, thinking i'm fine, but then the next morning i wake up and i have a hangover. so, obviously, i *shouldn't* have been driving.

posted 04-17-2001 08:12 PM            

Not about mandatory breathalyzers, not about backgroundgrrrl.

posted 04-17-2001 08:17 PM            

im sorry but this idea of yours will never work because people who are wasted all the time and continue to drink and drive after they know they shouldnt will find a way. there is a loop hole to everything...........

quote:

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Originally posted by coyotesix:
exactly! and i'm one of them! i admit it! *i* need these goddamn breathalizers before i ruin someone innocent family's life.

i don't know how many times i drive home, thinking i'm fine, but then the next morning i wake up and i have a hangover. so, obviously, i *shouldn't* have been driving.

i like you, backgroundgrrl. i always have.

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