Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong

[DavesTractor]

It wasn't that long ago that cops here in Ontario would try and find a way to get a drunk driver home safely.

Here too, then they figured out, "Ain't no money in that, in fact ain't no money in any of that public service silliness!"
I haven't heard about getting a warning for ANYTHING here in a long, long time.

I have no doubt that there is a money aspect to ticketing. If a guy does a California stop (slow roll) through a stop sign out in a rural area with low traffic, a warning is in order and anything more than that is a revenue thing. But a warning is not adequate for people driving drunk. I have no sympathy for drunk drivers because it so greatly endangers other people.

I agree with Industrial Toys that there are sober drivers out there that should not be driving, but that doesn't mean that adding drunk drivers to the road somehow balances things out. Those are different problems.

 

[Industrial Toys]

We have had cops stake out lonely, rural, four way stops, knowing it won't be long before someone rolls through.

 

[MechE1]

Now they just ticket them and let them go, so they can turn around and do it again. Rack up a bunch of fines. Don't pay them. Last time I looked this "smallish" county was owed over $7m in court fines. Not uncommon for these routine offenders to have multiple tickets for the same thing. Revoked. Still drive. Same people, over and over again. Makes me wonder, does the law really want them off the road or is it a cash cow for them.

 

[Industrial Toys]

You can't get blood out of a stone, as they say. Why they love picking on your working class.

 

[DavesTractor]

Now they just ticket them and let them go, so they can turn around and do it again. Rack up a bunch of fines. Don't pay them. Last time I looked this "smallish" county was owed over $7m in court fines. Not uncommon for these routine offenders to have multiple tickets for the same thing. Revoked. Still drive. Same people, over and over again. Makes me wonder, does the law really want them off the road or is it a cash cow for them.

Good point. Complicated, because from here we would need to discuss treatment plans (drug/alcohol) and/or consequences including incarceration for habitual offenders - and I'd get way in over my head. Probably a rabbit hole that we don't want to go down on a tractor forum. I'll just agree with you that giving a ticket doesn't necessarily solve the issue.

 

[LD48750]

I have no doubt that there is a money aspect to ticketing. If a guy does a California stop (slow roll) through a stop sign out in a rural area with low traffic, a warning is in order and anything more than that is a revenue thing. But a warning is not adequate for people driving drunk. I have no sympathy for drunk drivers because it so greatly endangers other people.

I agree with Industrial Toys that there are sober drivers out there that should not be driving, but that doesn't mean that adding drunk drivers to the road somehow balances things out. Those are different problems.

The problem comes from the definition of "DRUNK".
Here in MI as in most states it is .08%BAC.
To a non drinker like my wife, that is too high, she is *DRUNK* at the second glass of wine in a 2Hr span.
Some drinkers that I know can consume ungodly amounts of the drink of their choice without visible effect.
.08 doesn't/shouldn't apply to EVERYONE.

 

[Jstpssng]

The problem comes from the definition of "DRUNK".
Here in MI as in most states it is .08%BAC.
To a non drinker like my wife, that is too high, she is *DRUNK* at the second glass of wine in a 2Hr span.
Some drinkers that I know can consume ungodly amounts of the drink of their choice without visible effect.
.08 doesn't/shouldn't apply to EVERYONE.

Here they generally give a "Field Sobriety Test" to check your coordination. If you fail that, you get a breathalyzer or blood test.
Back when I was young and stupid I got many of the former, and never had a problem. Then when I was 34 I got stopped and hauled off to blow into the balloon, and was surprised when I was at .012.
I asked him why he stopped me and he said that when I came out of the store I was in it took me too long to pull out and get underway. That was my "sobriety test"...the reason it ook me so long was because I had taken time to eat the sandwich I had bought.

 

[ultrarunner]

I've been pulled over regularly when I was young... never a drop of Alcohol... always asked to search and always said OK...

Guess Ford Pinto drivers just attract attention?

Pulled over this year on the San Rafael bridge approach... License tab showing was 4 years old... while shopping tab stolen that day... License, Insurance, Registration... etc. Was going to get a fix-it ticket but I had already paid my renewal which was verified.

Highway Patrol just doing his job...

 

[two_bit_score]

The problem comes from the definition of "DRUNK".
Here in MI as in most states it is .08%BAC.
To a non drinker like my wife, that is too high, she is *DRUNK* at the second glass of wine in a 2Hr span.
Some drinkers that I know can consume ungodly amounts of the drink of their choice without visible effect.
.08 doesn't/shouldn't apply to EVERYONE.

.08 is the “presumptive limit”. At that amount of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) one is presumed to be legally intoxicated to the point he would be a danger to himself or others. The defendant can offer evidence to rebut the Presumption that he was impaired to the point he was a danger to himself or others.
Having tested at a .08 does not make anyone “drunk” it just creates the rebuttable legal presumption.


.

 

[RandyT]

In IL .08 is legally intoxicated, but .05-.08 can also result in a DUI if you were showing signs of impairment. So blow a .06 and fail the field sobriety test and still get a DUI.