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  • PS for the record I don't think drinking and driving laws are really meant to promote safety. I think, like most traffic infractions, are meant to provide profit for the cities and townships.

    WSS

  • PS for the record I don't think drinking and driving laws are really meant to promote safety. I think, like most traffic infractions, are meant to provide profit for the cities and townships.

    WSS

    @westside-steve said:

    PS for the record I don't think drinking and driving laws are really meant to promote safety. I think, like most traffic infractions, are meant to provide prophet for the cities and townships.

    WSS

    That's highly cynical, even for you Steve!

  • @osiris said:

    So do you think if we lifted the ban on drinking and driving that we'd have the same number of DWI-related accidents as when the ban was present? Ditto for the other crimes you listed?

    I'm not advocating lifting any ban. I'm advocating strict enforcement, at least the devil is. What's your objection? If in fact your goal is to eliminate school shootings and gun violence then what percentage is acceptable?

    What's your number?

    WSS

    @westside-steve said:

    I'm not advocating lifting any ban. I'm advocating strict enforcement, at least the devil is. What's your objection? If in fact your goal is to eliminate school shootings and gun violence then what percentage is acceptable?

    What's your number?

    WSS

    I have no objection, I was trying to understand what you were saying when you said:

    "Just banning things doesn't seem to work. "

    It sounded like you were saying that you don't think bans reduce the occurrences of the crimes you listed. If that is what you really meant, then I'd have to disagree with that.

    As for school shootings, do you mean what percentage is acceptable? Zero is acceptable, but also impossible to achieve in the USA. Nonetheless, we should strive for it while still allowing people who want guns for hunting and self-defense in their homes to have them.

  • @westside-steve said:

    PS for the record I don't think drinking and driving laws are really meant to promote safety. I think, like most traffic infractions, are meant to provide prophet for the cities and townships.

    WSS

    That's highly cynical, even for you Steve!

    @gftchris said:

    That's highly cynical, even for you Steve!

    Really? I haven't got the exact numbers what do you have any idea but the repeat rate is for DUI? Any idea how much it costs in fines and legal fees and how much of that money in the pockets of the attorneys and townships?

    WSS

  • Why is it that it's always all or nothing? Why are gun people so fucking insistent that there's either no regulations, total lawlessness, wild wild west or a complete and total ban of all guns no questions asked?

    Why not try small measures first like mandatory drug testing for gun ownership. It would keep those with the dreaded SSRIs in their systems from buying legal guns.

    Now maybe they would seek out the Mexican gun and drug runners to buy one illegally. Maybe. Maybe they'd go to the ghetto and approach some gang banger looking for a hot gun. Maybe. Maybe they would. Or maybe they would not because those things are scary. Maybe they'd just go back down to the basement and play call of duty.

    Or maybe it would be easier to totally reform the pharmaceutical industry and the medical industry to stop prescribing pills to people. God knows that doctors aren't arrogant at all and take suggestions that maybe they're doing more harm than good really well.

    @the-cysko-kid said:

    Why is it that it's always all or nothing? Why are gun people so fucking insistent that there's either no regulations, total lawlessness, wild wild west or a complete and total ban of all guns no questions asked?

    Why not try small measures first like mandatory drug testing for gun ownership. It would keep those with the dreaded SSRIs in their systems from buying legal guns.

    No argument from me on this one.

    Now maybe they would seek out the Mexican gun and drug runners to buy one illegally. Maybe. Maybe they'd go to the ghetto and approach some gang banger looking for a hot gun. Maybe. Maybe they would. Or maybe they would not because those things are scary. Maybe they'd just go back down to the basement and play call of duty.

    This is kind of ridiculous and pretty far from reality. But, I know you like to use it for your "Adam Lanza is a basement dwelling nerd that would never do this" argument.

    What actually happens is: it start's out with "Do you know a guy?" "Sure, I know a guy that know's a guy..." Kind of like when someone buys drugs - they don't just walk up to the cartels, or gangbangers, whatever. That's the narciest narc narc shit I've ever heard of. "Hey! Can I buy some reefer?" Sure thing officer.

    Or maybe it would be easier to totally reform the pharmaceutical industry and the medical industry to stop prescribing pills to people. God knows that doctors aren't arrogant at all and take suggestions that maybe they're doing more harm than good really well.

    This is pretty unlikely. Most physicians aren't solo practitioners anymore (thanks insurance!!) and work for hospital conglomerates. These hospitals give each doc roughly 15 minutes per patient. Diagnose and treat. 15 minutes. When there is data supporting pill prescribing as a suitable treatment, and the hospitals will back the docs up for using this method, then guess which method the doctor uses?

    Doctors arrogant? How many Doctors tell you how to install a security system, then call you arrogant because you know what you're doing?

  • @gftchris said:

    That's highly cynical, even for you Steve!

    Really? I haven't got the exact numbers what do you have any idea but the repeat rate is for DUI? Any idea how much it costs in fines and legal fees and how much of that money in the pockets of the attorneys and townships?

    WSS

    @westside-steve said:

    Really? I haven't got the exact numbers what do you have any idea but the repeat rate is for DUI? Any idea how much it costs in fines and legal fees and how much of that money in the pockets of the attorneys and townships?

    WSS

    Steve's cynicism is warranted. I don't think DWI laws are made for the expressed purpose of profit, but I DO think whenever money is involved, someone will subvert it's original purpose to be about making money. I read here that in Minnesota 1 in 7 drivers will be convicted for drunk driving. First time offenses lead to suspension, with a license reinstatement fee of $700. Furthermore, the insurance premium will go up, creating profit for insurance companies.

    None of this means the laws don't work. According to the same link, "DWI activists say [they work], and point to a 38 percent drop in the number of alcohol-related fatalities on Minnesota roads in the last 25 years."

  • http://money.msn.com/auto-insurance/dui-the-10000-dollar-ride-home.aspx

    A little more than 700 bucks? And 38%. Is that the number you would be happy with?

    WSS

  • Perhaps that's a difference between the countries. Here, any money raised from fines related to motoring - speeding, parking, DUI etc - can only be reinvested in things related to motoring, like road maintenance and things like that. So you can't really skim very much if any off the top.

  • I'm curious, what do our resident gun enthusiasts think about this? Do you support open carry? What do you think of dudes walking into restaurants and shit with big ass rifles on their back?

    @mld-woody said:

    I'm curious, what do our resident gun enthusiasts think about this? Do you support open carry? What do you think of dudes walking into restaurants and shit with big ass rifles on their back?

    I think it goes with the saying, just because you can doesn't mean you should. Right? There are idiots on both sides of the coin. In the middle are law abiding liberals and republicans that own and carry guns and are responsible. You can't throw the baby out with the bath water. I saw a video of two young guys who were toting around semi-auto rifles. Someone called the police. At first, the guys wielding the guns thought that the police were going to be dicks. But the officer was actually very calm and advised that as police they have the right to inspect the guns to be sure that they are not automatic rifles, because they could have been. After inspecting the rifles he thanked them for exercising their first amendment right the police left without incident. I think the two guys were actually surprised by the encounter.

    First, the guys were douche bags for going out and trying to elicit a reaction from law enforcement. Second, the cop did a fantastic job in not creating what could have been an ugly incident.

    Here's the video.

  • @the-cysko-kid said:

    Why is it that it's always all or nothing? Why are gun people so fucking insistent that there's either no regulations, total lawlessness, wild wild west or a complete and total ban of all guns no questions asked?

    Why not try small measures first like mandatory drug testing for gun ownership. It would keep those with the dreaded SSRIs in their systems from buying legal guns.

    No argument from me on this one.

    Now maybe they would seek out the Mexican gun and drug runners to buy one illegally. Maybe. Maybe they'd go to the ghetto and approach some gang banger looking for a hot gun. Maybe. Maybe they would. Or maybe they would not because those things are scary. Maybe they'd just go back down to the basement and play call of duty.

    This is kind of ridiculous and pretty far from reality. But, I know you like to use it for your "Adam Lanza is a basement dwelling nerd that would never do this" argument.

    What actually happens is: it start's out with "Do you know a guy?" "Sure, I know a guy that know's a guy..." Kind of like when someone buys drugs - they don't just walk up to the cartels, or gangbangers, whatever. That's the narciest narc narc shit I've ever heard of. "Hey! Can I buy some reefer?" Sure thing officer.

    Or maybe it would be easier to totally reform the pharmaceutical industry and the medical industry to stop prescribing pills to people. God knows that doctors aren't arrogant at all and take suggestions that maybe they're doing more harm than good really well.

    This is pretty unlikely. Most physicians aren't solo practitioners anymore (thanks insurance!!) and work for hospital conglomerates. These hospitals give each doc roughly 15 minutes per patient. Diagnose and treat. 15 minutes. When there is data supporting pill prescribing as a suitable treatment, and the hospitals will back the docs up for using this method, then guess which method the doctor uses?

    Doctors arrogant? How many Doctors tell you how to install a security system, then call you arrogant because you know what you're doing?

    @legacy-fan said:

    @the-cysko-kid said:

    Why is it that it's always all or nothing? Why are gun people so fucking insistent that there's either no regulations, total lawlessness, wild wild west or a complete and total ban of all guns no questions asked?

    Why not try small measures first like mandatory drug testing for gun ownership. It would keep those with the dreaded SSRIs in their systems from buying legal guns.

    No argument from me on this one.

    Now maybe they would seek out the Mexican gun and drug runners to buy one illegally. Maybe. Maybe they'd go to the ghetto and approach some gang banger looking for a hot gun. Maybe. Maybe they would. Or maybe they would not because those things are scary. Maybe they'd just go back down to the basement and play call of duty.

    This is kind of ridiculous and pretty far from reality. But, I know you like to use it for your "Adam Lanza is a basement dwelling nerd that would never do this" argument.

    What actually happens is: it start's out with "Do you know a guy?" "Sure, I know a guy that know's a guy..." Kind of like when someone buys drugs - they don't just walk up to the cartels, or gangbangers, whatever. That's the narciest narc narc shit I've ever heard of. "Hey! Can I buy some reefer?" Sure thing officer.

    Or maybe it would be easier to totally reform the pharmaceutical industry and the medical industry to stop prescribing pills to people. God knows that doctors aren't arrogant at all and take suggestions that maybe they're doing more harm than good really well.

    This is pretty unlikely. Most physicians aren't solo practitioners anymore (thanks insurance!!) and work for hospital conglomerates. These hospitals give each doc roughly 15 minutes per patient. Diagnose and treat. 15 minutes. When there is data supporting pill prescribing as a suitable treatment, and the hospitals will back the docs up for using this method, then guess which method the doctor uses?

    Doctors arrogant? How many Doctors tell you how to install a security system, then call you arrogant because you know what you're doing?

    1. Yeah you may be right about the hot gun issue. Problem is with Lanza, loughner, and Holmes types is reportedly they didn't HAVE any friends. Kind of makes it a tough jumping off point to go to an acquaintance who probably already thinks you're weird and start asking for guns. That's why these guys all went or at least tried the legal route. Apparently only Lanza was denied as the store owner apparently felt there was something wrong with him and declined the sale and good for him.

    2. Come on. You know doctors are arrogant. Right this very second I'm at the Cleveland clinic's Lorain FHC facility. I spend roughly 30% of my working time at Cleveland Clinic facilities and if you don't think doctors are arrogant I'd invite you to spend a little time dealing with them here.

  • Perhaps that's a difference between the countries. Here, any money raised from fines related to motoring - speeding, parking, DUI etc - can only be reinvested in things related to motoring, like road maintenance and things like that. So you can't really skim very much if any off the top.

    @gftchris said:

    Perhaps that's a difference between the countries. Here, any money raised from fines related to motoring - speeding, parking, DUI etc - can only be reinvested in things related to motoring, like road maintenance and things like that. So you can't really skim very much if any off the top.

    That's how it should be, and in some cases, how it is here in USA. The key difference is in USA since we have states with their own governments, much of it is left to the individual state. Here is an article on it, which also states $3 billion dollars per year are raised in the USA due to traffic violations.

    https://exploreb2b.com/articles/where-does-your-traffic-ticket-money-go

  • @westside-steve said:

    Really? I haven't got the exact numbers what do you have any idea but the repeat rate is for DUI? Any idea how much it costs in fines and legal fees and how much of that money in the pockets of the attorneys and townships?

    WSS

    Steve's cynicism is warranted. I don't think DWI laws are made for the expressed purpose of profit, but I DO think whenever money is involved, someone will subvert it's original purpose to be about making money. I read here that in Minnesota 1 in 7 drivers will be convicted for drunk driving. First time offenses lead to suspension, with a license reinstatement fee of $700. Furthermore, the insurance premium will go up, creating profit for insurance companies.

    None of this means the laws don't work. According to the same link, "DWI activists say [they work], and point to a 38 percent drop in the number of alcohol-related fatalities on Minnesota roads in the last 25 years."

    @osiris said:

    Steve's cynicism is warranted. I don't think DWI laws are made for the expressed purpose of profit, but I DO think whenever money is involved, someone will subvert it's original purpose to be about making money. I read here that in Minnesota 1 in 7 drivers will be convicted for drunk driving. First time offenses lead to suspension, with a license reinstatement fee of $700. Furthermore, the insurance premium will go up, creating profit for insurance companies.

    None of this means the laws don't work. According to the same link, "DWI activists say [they work], and point to a 38 percent drop in the number of alcohol-related fatalities on Minnesota roads in the last 25 years."

    Let's say it is a year in jail for first offense and make it zero tolerance. What percentage do you think it might be then?

    Maybe 95% as opposed to 38?

    Now I have no idea as to how many human lives that would equal but why wouldn't that be an acceptable goal? Lack of profit?

    WSS

  • http://money.msn.com/auto-insurance/dui-the-10000-dollar-ride-home.aspx

    A little more than 700 bucks? And 38%. Is that the number you would be happy with?

    WSS

    @westside-steve said:

    http://money.msn.com/auto-insurance/dui-the-10000-dollar-ride-home.aspx

    A little more than 700 bucks? And 38%. Is that the number you would be happy with?

    WSS

    The law was introduced in the UK in 1965. They began keeping records in 1979, for some reason, meaning we can't accurately measure the impact since inception, but I'm willing to bet the number was higher in 1965 than 1979. Anyway...

    Drink-Drive Deaths (UK)

    1979 - 1,640

    2012 - 290

    That's a reduction of 82% in a little over 30 years - that's probably an acceptably fast rate. In fact, taking a simple line of regression (using the intermediary data I haven't shown, but will if you want) puts it at declining around 36 deaths per year - to zero by 2020. Obviously it won't ever be zero, it won't decline linearly, it'll approach zero asymptotically, eventually, but the point stands. In 2012, there were slightly over half the deaths by drink driving than in 2006.

  • @osiris said:

    Steve's cynicism is warranted. I don't think DWI laws are made for the expressed purpose of profit, but I DO think whenever money is involved, someone will subvert it's original purpose to be about making money. I read here that in Minnesota 1 in 7 drivers will be convicted for drunk driving. First time offenses lead to suspension, with a license reinstatement fee of $700. Furthermore, the insurance premium will go up, creating profit for insurance companies.

    None of this means the laws don't work. According to the same link, "DWI activists say [they work], and point to a 38 percent drop in the number of alcohol-related fatalities on Minnesota roads in the last 25 years."

    Let's say it is a year in jail for first offense and make it zero tolerance. What percentage do you think it might be then?

    Maybe 95% as opposed to 38?

    Now I have no idea as to how many human lives that would equal but why wouldn't that be an acceptable goal? Lack of profit?

    WSS

    @westside-steve said:

    Let's say it is a year in jail for first offense and make it zero tolerance. What percentage do you think it might be then?

    Maybe 95% as opposed to 38?

    Now I have no idea as to how many human lives that would equal but why wouldn't that be an acceptable goal? Lack of profit?

    WSS

    That would probably reduce the amount of DWI crime and increase general unrest (leading to other crimes) because the punishment has to fit the crime. A first time DWI offense, assuming nobody was injured, shouldn't be punished by taking away a year of someone's life. Maybe make them spend a night in jail and perform a week of community service. Like I suggested earlier, I don't think these laws are created with profit in mind, but rather opportunists find ways to later make money off of them.

  • @westside-steve said:

    http://money.msn.com/auto-insurance/dui-the-10000-dollar-ride-home.aspx

    A little more than 700 bucks? And 38%. Is that the number you would be happy with?

    WSS

    The law was introduced in the UK in 1965. They began keeping records in 1979, for some reason, meaning we can't accurately measure the impact since inception, but I'm willing to bet the number was higher in 1965 than 1979. Anyway...

    Drink-Drive Deaths (UK)

    1979 - 1,640

    2012 - 290

    That's a reduction of 82% in a little over 30 years - that's probably an acceptably fast rate. In fact, taking a simple line of regression (using the intermediary data I haven't shown, but will if you want) puts it at declining around 36 deaths per year - to zero by 2020. Obviously it won't ever be zero, it won't decline linearly, it'll approach zero asymptotically, eventually, but the point stands. In 2012, there were slightly over half the deaths by drink driving than in 2006.

    @gftchris said:

    The law was introduced in the UK in 1965. They began keeping records in 1979, for some reason, meaning we can't accurately measure the impact since inception, but I'm willing to bet the number was higher in 1965 than 1979. Anyway...

    Drink-Drive Deaths (UK)

    1979 - 1,640

    2012 - 290

    That's a reduction of 82% in a little over 30 years - that's probably an acceptably fast rate. In fact, taking a simple line of regression (using the intermediary data I haven't shown, but will if you want) puts it at declining around 36 deaths per year - to zero by 2020. Obviously it won't ever be zero, it won't decline linearly, it'll approach zero asymptotically, eventually, but the point stands. In 2012, there were slightly over half the deaths by drink driving than in 2006.

    Pretty remarkable considering the UK population has grown by about 10 million people in that span of time.

  • @gftchris said:

    The law was introduced in the UK in 1965. They began keeping records in 1979, for some reason, meaning we can't accurately measure the impact since inception, but I'm willing to bet the number was higher in 1965 than 1979. Anyway...

    Drink-Drive Deaths (UK)

    1979 - 1,640

    2012 - 290

    That's a reduction of 82% in a little over 30 years - that's probably an acceptably fast rate. In fact, taking a simple line of regression (using the intermediary data I haven't shown, but will if you want) puts it at declining around 36 deaths per year - to zero by 2020. Obviously it won't ever be zero, it won't decline linearly, it'll approach zero asymptotically, eventually, but the point stands. In 2012, there were slightly over half the deaths by drink driving than in 2006.

    Pretty remarkable considering the UK population has grown by about 10 million people in that span of time.

    @osiris said:

    Pretty remarkable considering the UK population has grown by about 10 million people in that span of time.

    Yeah, we did ok on that one!

  • Or perhaps the death rate is lower because of much better safety equipment in cars.

  • If that's true diehard why not support better safety technology in firearms?

  • While it's looking exclusively at drink-driving accidents, I'm sure that improved safety plays a factor as well. But then, if it was all down to improved safety equipment, why isn't the rate dropping similarly across the developed world, assuming that this technology is widely available?

  • While it's looking exclusively at drink-driving accidents, I'm sure that improved safety plays a factor as well. But then, if it was all down to improved safety equipment, why isn't the rate dropping similarly across the developed world, assuming that this technology is widely available?

    @gftchris said:

    While it's looking exclusively at drink-driving accidents, I'm sure that improved safety plays a factor as well. But then, if it was all down to improved safety equipment, why isn't the rate dropping similarly across the developed world, assuming that this technology is widely available?

    One issue is compliance. I've been to some countries where most people don't use the seat belt that is readily available to them. Kind of mind-boggling.