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TexasTruBlu's Fortress of Solitude

by TexasTruBlu from Southern Denton Co

Last Post 1 day, 5 hours Ago


The DWI Laws Aren't Working
Oct 5, 2008 | 4:20 PM
Category: News
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As someone who has lost a family member to a DWI accident, I know what the implications are down the road for the suvivors. It's something that they live with the rest of their lives. I get online at 3:00 and find two definite manslaughter deaths attributed to DWI and two other fatality accidents that can probably be attributed to alcohol or drug abuse. First, we have to make the laws harder on first time offenders. No more "you can drive to work or school" nonsense. They can learn to use public transit or walk or ride a bike. Maybe by having their wings clipped they will stay out of trouble. Secondly, given the numerous young people that drive without licenses but with their parents negligent approval, we must raise the legal driving age. I hate to say this, but I see and hear about kids driving to places that their parents would be appalled. You cannot monitor your underage child if you don't know where they are or who they are with. Sure, I know the story about "my kid has to work." My kids had to work too, and when they didn't drive, I took them there or they found a ride. It's not easy, but it is doable. Too many parents use a driver's license as a carrot and stick that they can use for leverage. Frankly, many of them use it because they also don't want to be bother taking their kids places. It's a dirty little secret, but a reality. I know of kids who are palling around with older kids who go to clubs and places that really are not safe for young teens. But parents don't want to know this. Heck, I can even go to downtown Denton and see very young kids hanging out in clubs until the wee hours of the morning. It's time to start taking back responsibility. And if people won't do it on their own, then it's up to the law and courts to make that happen, no matter what it takes.
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Member Comments Total Comments: 11
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UCantHandleThisTruth read my blog
Oct 5, 2008 | 6:24 PM

AHHHHHHH,
Another call for taking responsiblity.

Let me know how that works out

Sorry to read about your loss/experience

Life is great but sometimes the pain is too much to bear at that moment
Dalejrfan8 read my blog view my photos
Oct 5, 2008 | 6:39 PM

Texatrueblue
I agree with you 100 %. Texas dwi laws aren't working. My family too has been down this road. People who haven't do not undertand just how hard of a road it is.

It has taken 8 years for my cousin to have a life again. He lost his six year old daughter that day, and since then he has lost everything. Including his family, his home and his job.

I truly believe that we need to go after the first time offenders first. Because if we crack down on them then maybe there wouldn't be so many repeat offenders. I mean really crack down on them too. Not just a slap on the hand and they have to go to a victim impact meeting. I mean hit them hard. Put them in jail for awhile. If they kill someone then it ought to be a mandatory sentence of at least 10 years.

Loren's killer was charge with 1 count of intoxication manslaughter and 3 counts of intoxication assualt. He served 4 yrs and 8 months. Not near long enough for what he did.

I agree with every word you said. It has taken my family along time to become a survivor. For the last eight years he has been a victims.

Thank you for bringing another perspective on this issue. People who have not walk the walk can't possibly know the pain and devestation a drunk driver causes. The worst part for me is that it was totally preventable. Luis Gonazales made a choice that day that took away my families choice. Loren would have been 14 if she had lived.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do. I plan to try to go to Austin in February to meet with my legilators and put plenty of pressure to do something.

TexasTruBlu read my blog view my photos
Oct 5, 2008 | 6:58 PM

I have frequently reminded my elected officials about this issue, about how it drives up insurance rates, hospitalization rates, mental illness rates, spousal abuse rates and just about any other rate you can think of. But it's not important to them. The government makes money off of alcohol. And if we end up legalizing pot, there will be just that more protection for an industry dealing in death. Didn't they learn anything from the tobacco issues we face?
Dak413 read my blog view my photos
Oct 5, 2008 | 11:40 PM

unfortunately, this will never change as long as parents don't begin teaching their children responsibility and discipline when they are very young, before age 2 even, it can begin, , until that's done, there is no hope, and by and large they can raise the driving age, and these kids will still be irresponsible if that is not done! discipline teaches kids to accept responsibility for their actions , and we know how few people want to accept responsibility for their actions anymore !
scottythecomic read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 7:29 AM

Legislating morality won't work. When you look at it, NONE of our laws work. Like the Lord's commandments, all are broken. Changing, enacting etc will not stop the tragedies. Harsher penalties won't change the frequency. It's a collective spiritual problem.
TexanInfidel read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 8:51 AM

I'm sorry for your loss ttb. However, you can't keep people from drinking and driving - they will break whatever rules you place on them unless they are all incarcerated.

We have a good friend who got a DWI. They were only allowed to drive to and from work. It scared them straight. But there are many people who are alcholics and will do whatever they have to do in order to feed their addictions. It is sad to say that this is just a part of life. We are free to do good and we are free to do bad.
shine read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 12:26 PM

I do not care what kind of law you put it is not gonna help. DWI laws have gotten over the years since the seventies and it is still problems. They have gotten tougher and still no results. i hated as much as you do honestly but this will not change. We as a country spend so much time focusing on drugs when alcohol related deaths are on the rise daily. it is easier to get a drink than scor some drugs.

MADD we need a new slogan: Get Drunk and Drive who needs a family and show a real graphic picture that will stick with people because this is serious.


I hearing about people dying like this especially kids. i you gonna drink and you know you cannot handle it stay at home please.
shine read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 12:27 PM

Sorry for the mistakes.
TexanInfidel read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 12:35 PM

Some people change completely when they start drinking. As for my family, we don't drink more than one or two if we are out. Of course, that means that we keep our wits about us. Some people are just alcoholics and will spend their lives playing roulette with the lives of others.
TXimplant read my blog
Oct 6, 2008 | 1:30 PM

ttb, I am so sorry for your loss. DWI laws are in full effect and nothing seems to be doing any good. I have a friend who was arrested over a year ago for DWI, let out 6 months later, granted he didn't kill anyone... but I remind him EVERY time he drinks and plans to drive home, that he could easily hurt someone or himself, he won't hear of it and by the time he does, it will be too late. Sadly though, he learned this behavior from his parents, who still to this day regularly drink and drive!!!
Nowadays, I can talk my friend into staying overnight and sobering up before driving. I think its because a work acquaintance was killed last month in a DWI accident, no one else was hurt in the fatal acciedent, thank goodness. Hit him close to home, but not close enough, my guess he will be back to his old ways before long... sad.
scottythecomic read my blog view my photos
Oct 6, 2008 | 3:09 PM

A drunk behind the steering wheel is a dangerous individual.
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TexasTruBlu

I am a teacher, a mother and wife and I like to think I am a pretty good citizen. I read ALOT. I also write a good deal on various blogs. I appreciate a chance to respond to what we see in the news. I think that by posting our opinions we can probably find that everyone is more alike than we are willing to admit. Face it, people just like to argue. I would also like to say how much I appreciate having a forum for my views.

Member Since: 7/25/2006


 

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