Hundreds walk to fight drunk driving

On Saturday, hundreds of people were walking like "MADD"- as in Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

[Basta]

Where is the money that was raised going to?

[mmuir]

Basta wrote:

Where is the money that was raised going to?

Where?

[joe]

Let's bring back the death penalty and execute anyone who kills someone while driving drunk.

[Swift Justice]

Basta wrote:

Where is the money that was raised going to?

What is it with you? Do you always have a negative comment, remark or other manure to spit when the Topic Drunk Driving comes up?
The message of Don't Drink and Drive is going around. It's bad that some ignorant fools in New Mexico and other parts of the World don't get it. Some don't ever get it. My friends dad here in Clovis lost a son to a drunk driver, folks in the article lost loved ones to drunks drivers.
I feel sorry for your thoughts about the issue. You seem to be the kind of person that loves to instigate others and see them miserable.
I hope you never have to walk in shoes of victims survivors (Parents, Children and Siblings of decedents). I saw a father close the lid on his son's coffin.
Perhaps you should go visit a morgue sometime when they bring the body of a mangled human being in. I was unfortunate to see what a F-600 did to a young lady 9 years ago when she was brought in to the E.R. here in Clovis.
I have a strong stomach and don't startle easy. That traumatic even brought tears to my eyes.

[jer]

As long as the state keeps selling crap. This will never stop. walk and you are risking your life.
Do not turn your back . like the state has
this state needs to be investgated for over
selling the ATF needs to get of there butts and shut this drinking down. mabe a certin few are getting filthy rich . and want people dead.
There has been no help in the last 2000 deaths.

[SKY HIGH TAX]

Raise taxes SKY HIGH on alcahol and bring back the death penalty for those who kill while under the influence. There is no such thing as an apology to a victims family when some purposefully gets into a vehicle and drives drunk and then kills.

[Firegazer1]

MADD does some very important work in NM against drunk driving. This is a constant problem that everyone needs to be fighting. There is a huge population of young drinkers and old drinkers alike that continue to "roll the dice" and drink and drive. The interlocks and DWI classes are in full blast use!

Contrary to KOB's article- which is fairly common for them- DWIs are not inceasing in New Mexico. I would give Richardson credit for some of this (as much as I hate to give him credit for anything) decrease. So while I agree that we need to continue the battle, it's inaccurate to say that this continues to "rise in New Mexico".

[jer]

We need a statement from two lic drivers there will be NO DRINKING AND DRIVING IF I BUY THIS BEER,
WHISKEY, WINE . THEN WILL SELL. NOT TILL THEN
WILL YOU GET TO BOOZE. EVERY SELLER GETS THIS STAMENT.......... HOPE IT WORKS?

[Basta]

Swift Justice wrote:

<quoted text>
What is it with you? Do you always have a negative comment, remark or other manure to spit when the Topic Drunk Driving comes up?
The message of Don't Drink and Drive is going around. It's bad that some ignorant fools in New Mexico and other parts of the World don't get it. Some don't ever get it. My friends dad here in Clovis lost a son to a drunk driver, folks in the article lost loved ones to drunks drivers.
I feel sorry for your thoughts about the issue. You seem to be the kind of person that loves to instigate others and see them miserable.
I hope you never have to walk in shoes of victims survivors (Parents, Children and Siblings of decedents). I saw a father close the lid on his son's coffin.
Perhaps you should go visit a morgue sometime when they bring the body of a mangled human being in. I was unfortunate to see what a F-600 did to a young lady 9 years ago when she was brought in to the E.R. here in Clovis.
I have a strong stomach and don't startle easy. That traumatic even brought tears to my eyes.

I will always have a negative thought when it comes to MADD. They are always mad! They have highly paid administrators, they schmooze the legislators and drink with them to get tought DWI laws passed, they never do anything progressive.

No one in this state ever has progressive thinking on DWI. It's always stricter laws and throw away the key on a social disease that is treatable.

My progressive thoughts are to close bars at 8:00 PM. Night blindness causes a lot of accidents, and texting on the phone or driving after a night of partying at a bar just makes the streets deadlier.

How many DWI accidents are caused during the day? Maybe MADD can gather this data instead of sitting behind judges courtrooms intimidating the judiciary.

That is why I am mad at MADD....someone should be because they use people to further their agenda. They use families tragedies and put them in front of a camera or take pictures of them to sell newspapers in order to further their agenda. NOTHING progressive - just mad people.

I feel for any family who loses someone to a drunk driver. It's not tougher laws that are needed, you hit the industry where it hurts - in the pocketbook. You close bars at 8:00 and get families back together/

Where would all this DWI money for law enforcement go? There is a fine line between enforcement and kickbacks.

When DWI laws get tougher, you hire more attorneys, cops, prisons, jails, developers, interlock companies....it is BIG business. They could care less about progressive thinkers - there's no money in it.

I am sorry for your loss.

[Purple Pinto]

Bravo Basta!!!

I have another point to add to your information.

The tougher laws called for dropping the BAC level to 0.08. This increased arrests, fine revenues, the need for attorneys, etc.

Now, consider the records of these fatal crashes, repeat offenders, etc. Not a damned one of them blew a 0.08 or near that. They are 2 and 3 times the legal limit. The 0.08 law lowered the bar to pull in the person that had 2 glasses of wine with dinner. It increases the revenue and destroys the records of people who don't have a problem.

I am all for reducing the tragedies. I have 4 children whom I don't want to become victims of some drunk idiot behind the wheel. But as Basta said, no one is doing anything to turn the alcoholic into anything other than a repeat offender statistic. The lawmakers are however ensuring the fine revenues increase and attorneys are happy.

You want to see results? Why doesn't MADD take interest in meaningful support programs? Why is it that it's an average $18,000 cost to send a family member with a substance abuse issue to a 30-45 treatment program? Help fund those programs and watch not only your DWI numbers diminish, but you'd probably see a significant improvement in many other areas of society.

75% of child abuse/neglect is related to alcohol and drug abuse. Most gang activity is based on drug trafficing. Personal property crimes, again, supporting drug habits.

Divorce and domestic violence is also strongly tied to substance abusers.

See how it all ties together? Who loses revenues when these social problems decrease?? Think about it.

[concha pena]

If the walk was on Sunday I couldn't go, if the walk was on Monday I COULDN'T go, if the walk was on Tuesday I couldn't go, if the march was on...I couldn't go. I don't drink, I barely drive but my sympathy goes to MADD

[jer]

concha pena wrote:

If the walk was on Sunday I couldn't go, if the walk was on Monday I COULDN'T go, if the walk was on Tuesday I couldn't go, if the march was on...I couldn't go. I don't drink, I barely drive but my sympathy goes to MADD

This is about marching for help to
stop the flow of death in our state because of law in place. not because you dont drink and barely drive.

[Christian Heller]

Basta wrote:

<quoted text>
I will always have a negative thought when it comes to MADD. They are always mad! They have highly paid administrators, they schmooze the legislators and drink with them to get tough DWI laws passed, they never do anything progressive.
No one in this state ever has progressive thinking on DWI. It's always stricter laws and throw away the key on a social disease that is treatable.
My progressive thoughts are to close bars at 8:00 PM. Night blindness causes a lot of accidents, and texting on the phone or driving after a night of partying at a bar just makes the streets deadlier.
How many DWI accidents are caused during the day? Maybe MADD can gather this data instead of sitting behind judges courtrooms intimidating the judiciary.
That is why I am mad at MADD....someone should be because they use people to further their agenda. They use families tragedies and put them in front of a camera or take pictures of them to sell newspapers in order to further their agenda. NOTHING progressive - just mad people.
I feel for any family who loses someone to a drunk driver. It's not tougher laws that are needed, you hit the industry where it hurts - in the pocketbook. You close bars at 8:00 and get families back together/
Where would all this DWI money for law enforcement go? There is a fine line between enforcement and kickbacks.
When DWI laws get tougher, you hire more attorneys, cops, prisons, jails, developers, interlock companies....it is BIG business. They could care less about progressive thinkers - there's no money in it.
I am sorry for your loss.

Not a bad comment. You have some very valid points in your comment.
Daytime DWI's how many are there? Interesting question.
MADD, yes they have caused good but also have their own wallet in Mind. Prior to when my son was plowed over by a drunk driver they asked me (my little Cab Company to donate) and help out. I didn't have enough revenue to leave money in my own pay. So I didn't donate. When my son was in the hospital near death and the news got around Clovis there were some folks that helped out. These folks were great, but DID NOT INCLUDE MADD. So MADD is not on my favorites list.
Closing Bars at 8:00 PM, awesome idea. Try getting that one done.
Cell Phone users are dangerous too. Nearly got my 2006 pushed off the road by a young lady texting some time ago. Night Blindness, another good point.
When it comes to Court Cases. Yes, we have a right to a fair trial. It is guaranteed. So many cases are open and shut. As in State of New Mexico vs. T.L.W.(I omitted the full name of the guy that plowed in to my son). I have the official Dash Cam video from that dreadful evening. The driver close to the Police Car while EMTs are working to save my child about 200 feet away.
Certain laws need to be very - very tough.
Alcoholism is a disease, I will not argue that for one moment. The choice to go to a bar sober is a choice. Then after some time drinking rationality and common sense goes out the window.
I will not punish a disease, I will how ever want to see people who make bad choices that injured and kill innocent victims be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
As Swift Justice wrote else where. The victim in some cases recovers, but a dead victim does not recover from death.
Thank you.

[Thunderbolt]

We have the power to stop anything.

It's our resolve that is lacking. We could stop rape overnight. We could stop murder overnight. We could stop the molestation of children overnight. Anything you can think of could be corrected.

But we won't.

We've decided that when punishment and deterants reach a certain level it's socially not acceptable. We think we've become worse that the offender.

Here's a small but powerful example. Speeding:$10,000 for each mile over the limit. Here's the hang up. Society can tolerate a little speeding. Society will have to find crime and criminals unacceptable to make this work.

Real change will come when society decides enough is enough. If they have trouble matching a penalty to a crime, just give me a call. It will not be nice. There will be a lot of puking. Some crying, some fainting but no organized marches will be needed.

[Juan]

The walkers were lucky they were
not hit by a drunk driver.

[Sluggo]

Purple Pinto wrote:

...The tougher laws called for dropping the BAC level to 0.08. This increased arrests, fine revenues, the need for attorneys, etc...

News flash:

.08 BAC is the "legal limit", but means nothing. They are arresting people for .02 BAC and calling it "Impaired to the Slightest Degree".

After only 1 drink at a bar or your favorite resturant you have been overserved, you are now "Impaired to the Slightest Degree".

This not only inflates numbers, but now they are targeting the responsible working class that can afford to pay Fines, Fees, Treatment, Interlocks, and actually show up for Court.

Meanwhile hardcore alcoholics continue to drive with multiple arrest, no liscense, no interlock, warrants, etc..........and nothing can stop that.

[Marie]

You can get statistics on crashes at NHTSA.gov website. If you have a complaint, get off your duff and do something about it, otherwise your mouthing is pointless. The people participating in the Walk Like MADD are doing something for what they believe in. Good for them! And a great job, too, raising $100,000. This money goes to help pay for Victim Services and the programs that are brought to your children's schools and other awareness events in the community.

[Redviffer]

Agreed: hardcore alcoholics aren't going to care if they have a license or not, if they have been arrested or not, they want to drink, they will.

At that point there is only 2 things to do: either stop them from drinking completely, or help them drink.

Stopping them from drinking would involve much more than just a "walk", it would involve stopping drugs and alcohol availability, or perhaps assigning someone to watch (babysit) them 100% of the time, or perhaps performing some sort of genetic/surgical alteration that keeps them from drinking alcohol. As someone said before, good luck with any of that, as the bottom line is these people must WANT to stop before they truly will.

The helping them drink would involve a lot as well: lets get this one out right away: more bars available in local areas, maybe if they don't have to drive to a bar, they won't drive after they drink. More free rides from cabs, but I'd like to see more free rides from, say buses or other public transportation for people who have been drinking, etc. Heck, add the cost in taxes to the sale of all alcohol, it'll pay for itself!

Just throwing some stuff out there to think about.

[Merv]

Basta brought up a pretty good point.
Im only 50, but I'll be the first to admit that night driving has become more of a challenge (cold sober). Im quick to blame the HALOGEN headlights and the fact the Albuq drivers love to tailgate.
The tunnel vision caused by night driving, and then compounded by booze is just crazy.

[Basta]

Merv, I am about the same age as you and my contribution to society is that I don't drive at night.

I think that the DMV should have drivers take their driving tests at night instead of during the day. The most deadliest of crashes occur at night and their instruction to our youngsters should focus on night time driving.

Bars need to close at 8PM if we are going to stop senseless loss of lives. No amount of law enforcement or tougher penalites for the citizens of this great country are going to stop, so let's stop focusing on law enforcement and ruining people's lives and starting focusing on the problem - the bars, the gas stations, the pharmacies, and convenience stores that sell the booze.

BARS AND LIQUOR SALES CLOSE AT 8PM.