Drunk Driving Permits?!?

[SuperHornet]

The Council of County Kerry, Ireland, has voted to issue drunk driving permits, allowing a higher BAC in certain sparsely populated rural areas. This is counter to the draconian anti-drinking trend in Ireland, whose laws make a BAC of over 50 mg alcohol/100 ml blood (roughly equivalent to less than a pint of beer). The ordinance would raise that to two or three beers.

The rationale is that drinking and driving in rural areas "never killed anyone" and that the privilege would "prevent depression."

There are certain problems with the vote, to wit: many Councillors were absent (there is probably some political chicanery in the timing of the vote), and several abstained. The final vote was only 5-3. If this flies, the Council still has to petition the Justice Minister to issue the "permits." Additionally, the Councillor who introduced the controversial bill probably should have recused himself from the vote given that he owns a pub.

And I thought WE had dumb politicians!



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/2 ... _ref=world

[kalm]

"Buzzed driving" is drunk diving.

[∞∞∞]

The Huff Post article is actually light on the details. Ireland lowered the max BAC level from .08 to .05 last year, but it's had negative economic impacts, especially on rural areas where the only social outlet is the local watering hole. This law wants to change it back to .08 in those rural areas, as well as set a maximum speed limit (to be determined) for people driving with a BAC between .05 and .08 in those areas.

So don't be so quick to judge; a little research would have revealed that there's more to this story. With the same max BAC as the US and a max speed limit on rural roads only, this law is still tougher than ours.

[DSUrocks07]

The Huff Post article is actually light on the details. Ireland lowered the max BAC level from .08 to .05 last year, but it's had negative economic impacts, especially on rural areas where the only social outlet is the local watering hole. This law wants to change it back to .08 in those rural areas, as well as set a maximum speed limit (to be determined) for people driving with a BAC between .05 and .08 in those areas.

So don't be so quick to judge; a little research would have revealed that there's more to this story.With the same max BAC as the US and a max speed limit, this law is still tougher than what we have.

In today's 24/7 news cycle, that would require people to actually PAY ATTENTION to the news, instead of taking the headline and just running with it.

[Pwns]

Basing whether or not someone is too impaired to drive based on a proxy measure of BAC is stupid. Sorry, but that is the truth. There is a considerable variability in what one's BAC has to be before they are too impaired to drive, especially considering experiecned drinkers have built a tolerance and can have a good bit of alcohol in their system before it would impair them.

It would make more sense to come up with a test to see if someone's reaction time and hand-eye coordination are compromised for whatever reason.

[bluehenbillk]

The Irish are years ahead of everybody else.

[Grizalltheway]

The Irish are years ahead of everybody else.

[AZGrizFan]

The Irish are years ahead of everybody else.

GFY, kraut.

[CAA Flagship]

The Irish are years ahead of everybody else.

Except Alabama.

[Grizalltheway]

GFY, kraut.

Will do, ya feckin nacker.

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

There needs to be a couple hours a day when its ok to drink and drive. 7-8pm and 2-3am

If you are so damn worried about being killed by a drunk driver then dont be on the road at these times. Its fair for everyone. And you lefty liberal pussy will get your wish when drunks drive into drunks.

This would stimulate the economy in many high paying job sectors.....its a win win for everyone.

[dbackjon]

There needs to be a couple hours a day when its ok to drink and drive. 7-8pm and 2-3am

If you are so damn worried about being killed by a drunk driver then dont be on the road at these times. Its fair for everyone. And you lefty liberal pussy will get your wish when drunks drive into drunks.

This would stimulate the economy in many high paying job sectors.....its a win win for everyone.

Get this man a drink! or two, or ten!

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

Their tax dollars helped pay for the roads they should get to drive on them however they see fit.

Fair is Fair..............DDs need special laws like the gays get to keep things fair. Its funny how its "OK" to persecute people who drink but its hands across America if a gay cant get married or a black guy gets fired from a job.

[bobbythekidd]

There needs to be a couple hours a day when its ok to drink and drive. 7-8pm and 2-3am

If you are so damn worried about being killed by a drunk driver then dont be on the road at these times. Its fair for everyone. And you lefty liberal pussy will get your wish when drunks drive into drunks.

This would stimulate the economy in many high paying job sectors.....its a win win for everyone.

Get this man a drink! or two, or ten!

Just make sure it is less than or more than six or bad events may ensue.

[SDHornet]

The Irish are years ahead of everybody else.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogLoJv9WfEE[/youtube]