41 drunk drivers busted over the festive season

What I don’t understand is why Canberra doesn’t have something like this http://www.scooterangels.com.au/. I would have thought it would work better here than in Sydney or Melbourne. I wouldn’t particularly want to do this type of work but I would have thought someone would. (No I am not in any way associated with the company, just thought it was a good idea!) Then again, I don’t get out much so I don’t know what people are looking for as a remedy for exorbitant taxi fares.

dvaey said :

Genie said :

Did anyone else read that 14 people were on special circumstances at a limit of 0.00.

So 14/41 offenders were likely repeat offenders on probationary licenses ??

Under the new laws passed recently, a ‘special driver’ in this case generally means a P-plate driver. It would be nice to know how many of these ‘special drivers’ were repeat offenders and how many were P-platers, which would support your argument.

Didn’t realise a new law had passed.. Although I did state that 14/41 were LIKELY on probationary licences.

Some pubs and clubs do offer free soft drink to Desi Drivers… but dont advertise it.

Although others encourage drinking… I recently went out and paid $4.20 for a soft drink, while everyone else was drinking $3.90 schooners of full strength beer and $5.20 for spirits.

Skullbonez said :

Were the nightrider buses running this year?

Yes, but apparently not well organised or advertised, at double the cost of last year, and only running because the govt was dragged kicking and screaming into it.

Skullbonez said :

I remember one year where the government was trying to curb drink driving by offering “free soft drinks” to designated drivers by giving them wrist bands…

Uhhhh… Way to dance around the problem. Kids drink and drive because they want to get drunk and it costs at least $40 to get home in a cab in this rip off of a town.

How about running nightrider all year round, or offering some kind of cab discount. Free soft drinks? Only an overpaid pube could have come up with that one.

While I entirely agree with the need for the nightrider service, as a non-drinker I liked the idea of free softdrinks. It doesnt only take an overpaid pube to think of that, as hard as it can be to explain to drunks that not everyone in the city drinks alcohol 24/7.

The designated driver programs could be extended even further, with free cover-charge for designated drivers, for example. Another option could be clubs offering free cover-charge if youve pre-purchased your nightrider ticket or even one free drink upon presentation of your pre-paid nightrider ticket. This way the club owners know youve got a lift home, and they’ll obviously get the money they lose on covercharges, back on drink sales.

Were the nightrider buses running this year?

Not that it is any excuse to drink and drive, but my god – taxi’s (like so many other things in this city) are excessively expensive.

I remember one year where the government was trying to curb drink driving by offering “free soft drinks” to designated drivers by giving them wrist bands…

Uhhhh… Way to dance around the problem. Kids drink and drive because they want to get drunk and it costs at least $40 to get home in a cab in this rip off of a town.

How about running nightrider all year round, or offering some kind of cab discount. Free soft drinks? Only an overpaid pube could have come up with that one.

Genie said :

Did anyone else read that 14 people were on special circumstances at a limit of 0.00.

So 14/41 offenders were likely repeat offenders on probationary licenses ??

Under the new laws passed recently, a ‘special driver’ in this case generally means a P-plate driver. It would be nice to know how many of these ‘special drivers’ were repeat offenders and how many were P-platers, which would support your argument.

Lt RAAF – This is one of your worst thought out posts I have seen. Did you even stop to think the 0.05 limit is based on a percentage of blood volume therefore already takes into account differences in physical stature of males and females.

“stop treating people like children who can’t handle a drink, for gods sake!” It has been shown and adults continue to show they can’t handle a drink and as such continue to make the choice to drive after having several. As such you can’t leave it to adults as responsible people to make that decision as it is clearly shown by recent stats that plenty of adults do need to be treated as children.

You have also come up with some fairly good stat sounding words to back your comment. I think you are lacking in experience and statistical evidence to back your case.

Go to the naughty corner.

Genie said :

Clearly the system doesn’t work. Having to go to court and facing a judge over drink driving matters doesn’t stop anyone.

with an alcohol problem.

There, I fixed it for you.

Recently there was a statistic that something like one third of drink driving offences are by repeat offenders.

Rollersk8r said :

Brianna said :

We need harsher penalties for drink drivers. Time to make them go to the morgue, brain injury foundation and intensive care units and show these pricks what the possible damage is from them drink driving. Time to fine them thousands of dollars. Not petty little fines. Make it so that the fines can be garnished from their wages/dole payments for however many years it will take to pay it off. Make them hurt in the wallet.

No we don’t. Harsher penalties do very little, if anything. People are already aware (from constant TV campaigns and police reports like this) they face double fines, loss of employment and the risk of injuring or killing themselves or others – and they still do it. If you’re already happy to risk your life then why is the potential of a bigger fine going to stop you?

Fair point. What harsher penalties may do though, is act as a deterrent for repeat offenders – of which there are many in the ACT. Periodic detention may be such a deterrent.

Brianna said :

We need harsher penalties for drink drivers. Time to make them go to the morgue, brain injury foundation and intensive care units and show these pricks what the possible damage is from them drink driving. Time to fine them thousands of dollars. Not petty little fines. Make it so that the fines can be garnished from their wages/dole payments for however many years it will take to pay it off. Make them hurt in the wallet.

No we don’t. Harsher penalties do very little, if anything. People are already aware (from constant TV campaigns and police reports like this) they face double fines, loss of employment and the risk of injuring or killing themselves or others – and they still do it. If you’re already happy to risk your life then why is the potential of a bigger fine going to stop you?

Just like speed limits, drink driving limits are a risk management strategy. The only controls we have are constant reminders to do the right thing and to try and catch those doing the wrong thing.

Of course I’m not saying I want drunk drivers on the road – I’m saying the current regime is the best we can do.

Did anyone else read that 14 people were on special circumstances at a limit of 0.00.

So 14/41 offenders were likely repeat offenders on probationary licenses ??

Clearly the system doesn’t work. Having to go to court and facing a judge over drink driving matters doesn’t stop anyone.