Zero Tolerance

[ceebie13]

In the shadow of the double tragedy near Rotorua yesterday, I'm wondering how many of us would support "zero tolerance" drink driving laws in New Zealand?... regardless of whether we believe such legislation would be effective.

[James Deuce]

Quite frankly I'm tired of the lowest common denominator setting the standard by which all others are judged. It is starting to impact quite seriously on general human development.

[Delphinus]

Quite frankly I'm tired of the lowest common denominator setting the standard by which all others are judged. It is starting to impact quite seriously on general human development.

Agreed. And an awful amount of time and money is constantly spent keeping this bottom end up... Survival of the fittest gone well out the door...

[Krusti]

No...I would however support a stronger crack down on present limits and harsher penalties for death or injury to other parties due to drink driving..

[ceebie13]

Quite frankly I'm tired of the lowest common denominator setting the standard by which all others are judged....

I agree too...because it also includes irresponsible bikers who give us all a bad name.

[dogsnbikes]

This is always going to happen.....there will always be some arsehole drinkdriving regardless of limits and laws introduced.....and its always sad well fuckedup that its the innocent that get taken out.......

I myself set my own limit usually one beer if I know I am driving.......as I am buggered if I will put my life or other peoples lives at risk....just a pity that there is a % of those out there that dont give a toss

[James Deuce]

I agree too...because it also includes irresponsible bikers who give us all a bad name.

Naughty boy, putting words in my mouth.

The reality is, NZ's drink driving laws are governed and tightened up because of a very small number of people who drive drunk, drive without a license, and drive vehicles that aren't roadworthy, and do all that repeatedly. Stats are used to manipulate public opinion, so silly laws get passed. Always remember you are talking about a country with the population of Hampshire and the land mass of the UK.

The main reason for NZs death toll is driver attitude. Driving is a right, not a privilege, other people sharing the road are annoying irritants, and any situation requiring actual driver skill will probably result in a fatality. Then there is the main reason that people die. Ego combined with Arrogance.

Alcohol is more of a factor for motorcyclists because of the impairment to cognitive and motor skills. I know how it affects me so I very rarely have one beer when I'm on a quiet social ride. The rest of the time it's a no no.

But I'm not going to start imposing my views on other people. Make your own mind up, make your own decisions, we've got to stop fiddling with the parameters of social acceptance before we all become the same, bland, boring, PC drone. Much worse fate than being killed by a drunk driver on the road.

[spudchucka]

Having a zero tolerance won't stop the people who just don't care. They don't care under the current system and they wouldn't care under a zero tolerance system either.

[MSTRS:Me]

Done before - still feel the same.
Zero Tolerance gets hung up with things like breath fresheners etc giving a positive return with the Sniffers, leading to all sorts of problems for the innocent.
Even increasing the penalties doesn't seem a deterrent to so many recidivists. A look at changing the penalties might be more effective.
Perhaps your poll could include a "Cut off their hands" option....

[Stickchick]

Having a zero tolerance won't stop the people who just don't care. They don't care under the current system and they wouldn't care under a zero tolerance system either.

You are completely right my best friends wrist got broken wrestling with a drunk wanting his keys off her then proceeded to drive his car with a friend of my cousins in and smashed into a tree. The driver sustained small injuries where as the passenger lost three of her fingers and is paralysed down right side. And to this day he doesn't really think about his actions and the problems it caused because he is still doing it

Drunks will do what they want without worrying how it affects other people

[Pwalo]

As everyone else has said a law change will not change behaviour. (Look at those damned dogs that keep biting people).

It is also impossible to enforce a zero tolerance regime. It's been mooted before, and discredited. Alcohol is a naturally occuring chemical in the body.

I would like to see all bad driving targeted by our constabulary, but that would require a much larger road presence by the boys in blue.

[davereid]

Agreed. The guy who has a beer after work or a glass of wine while out for dinner is not the problem. Its the guy who has 6 - 60 beers, then hops in and drives. I'm pleased to see the police ticketing drivers who cross the centerline. There was a photo in the Dom, of a plonker complaining for getting ticketed when well over the line. Warmed my heart to see how upset he was. Crossing the line is way more nasty than a few clicks over the limit.

[Hitcher]

So you're saying it's OK then to drive/ride while under the affluence of incohol as long as one is not caught or one isn't involved in an accident causing injury or death, and that choice should be up to the rider/driver who should be capable of monitoring their own level of intoxication?

[ceebie13]

The main reason for NZ's death toll is driver attitude. Driving is a right, not a privilege, other people sharing the road are annoying irritants, and any situation requiring actual driver skill will probably result in a fatality. Then there is the main reason that people die. Ego combined with Arrogance.

Which is why New Zealanders have one of the worst driving reputations on the planet. But what gets me is that they don't seem to care about it!
So we find ourselves back to the lowest common denominator analogy.

[ceebie13]

... who should be capable of monitoring their own level of intoxication?

...or indeed their own lovel of entixicotion!