today i learned something about DWI in NYS

[cuznjohn]

i was at a stereo shop today to get something done on my car. i see the guy working on a caddy and there is a machine hooked up to the car with a canister with a clear bubbling liquid in it. i asked what was this thing and he told me it was for a breath analyzer, the liquid was straight denatured alcohol, and it is used to calculate the device and he blew into it to see if the car wouldn't start. i asked how many DWI"S did this guy have, he tole me NYS has a ZERO TOLERANCE and one DWI and you might have to have one installed if you got a ticket.

now the price it costs you is 1500 a car for the install, and once every 30 to 45 days you have to have go to a shop download your readings for the courts, at a cost of 150 bucks each time so you can continue to drive in new york. he said right now he has 130 people that come to him every month to have the download, and one person made a appointment to have one installed when i was waiting for my car. when i asked if every driver had to do it again, he said it depends on the lawyer you get. for a good lawyer on a first time DWI it could cost you up to 20k to have the court date and driving restrictions eased. ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW, JUST NOT WORTH IT...

 

[Bob Denman]

Having lost a good friend to a drunk driver; I have no sympathy whatsoever for the moron that chooses to drink and drive...

 

[blacklightning]

There were very similar devices available back in the early 80's. My brother had one installed on a 82 ford of some kind (don't remember the car now). Once you start the car, it would run for 30-45 minutes, and then you had to pull over a do another blow into the machine. He kept it installed for about a year. Eventually, he lost then for a long time anyway (glad he did). Took him a while, but he finally stopped drinking for good in 96, and hasn't drank since. He got his license back in 2005. Made him a changed person.
On a side note, if you use listerine, sometimes it would not crank.

 

[wyliec]

now the price it costs you is 1500 a car for the install, and once every 30 to 45 days you have to have go to a shop download your readings for the courts, at a cost of 150 bucks each time so you can continue to drive in new york.

This doesn't make much sense. Someone could stop drinking the day before their scheduled appointment, and get a clean bill of health on appointment day. Someone is making money at $150 a shot. However, I'm all for the install of the initial equipment, and I'm okay with the harassment of the individual. Keep something in mind; there are plenty of lawyers that specialize in DWI's. Is it fair for that individual with money to basically get a free pass?

cuznjohn, I see where I made a mistake. It's the readings that are already in the machine in his/her car.

 

[cuznjohn]

This doesn't make much sense. Someone could stop drinking the day before their scheduled appointment, and get a clean bill of health on appointment day. Someone is making money at $150 a shot. However, I'm all for the install of the initial equipment, and I'm okay with the harassment of the individual. Keep something in mind; there are plenty of lawyers that specialize in DWI's. Is it fair for that individual with money to basically get a free pass?

cuznjohn, I see where I made a mistake. It's the readings that are already in the machine in his/her car.

right, every time they start their car/ truck they have to blow in the machine and it records the readings to be downloaded

 

[ARtraveler]

I am all in favor of hassling those who have DUI's. We have had a few repeat offenders (5 or more DUI's) that have ended up killing innocent people. They hire the famous lawyer and get off again.

The last year or so, the tide seems to have turned. People that kill others in a DUI related accident are now doing hard time.

 

[Orange Spyder Man]

I don't think they are charging DWI drivers enough.... they should triple those prices... !!!

osm

 

[Art Mann]

My idea is if someone is convicted of driving after drinking or smoking Colorado's finest, the vehicle should be confiscated and sold. The owner of the vehicle, whoever that might be, would still be stuck paying off any loans. Pretty soon, the offending driver would run out of vehicles to drive. Taking one's driver's license is no deterrent at all.

 

[Bob Denman]

Why not just break their hands with a baseball bat? :shocked:
They couldn't grip the wheel for a while... :thumbup:

 

[Dan McNally]

A stint in jail is also a good idea . . . someone drinking and driving is endangering not only his or her life, but that of everyone on the road near them . . . society should look at it like they do murder and child molestation, as a type of crime they just won't tolerate.

 

[mowin]

Why not just break their hands with a baseball bat? :shocked:
They couldn't grip the wheel for a while... :thumbup:

You volunteering to do the bat swinging...:shocked:

 

[spydaman60]

isn't it japan that takes the license for life after the first dwi?:yikes: i'm all for it!!!:thumbup:

 

[JerryB]

Hi Art,

Re: Pretty soon, the offending driver would run out of vehicles to drive.

There is some guy here in Oregon who just keeps buying cars to drive while drunk.

They put him in jail ( for not enough time IMO ) but when he gets out, he buys another car.

IMO only a long term jail sentence ( if that ) will work with this guy.

Jerry Baumchen

PS) I personally know someone who has beat 5 DUI's. And my biological father was a lifetime drunk.:wrong:

 

[Chupaca]

Not only NY...!!

had a customer in texas that had one on his motorcycle. Took a bit to figure out why I could not start it till he came by and told me I had to blow in that little tube under the seat and if all was good it would start...good idea...nojoke

 

[Bob Denman]

You volunteering to do the bat swinging...:shocked:

You betcha! :thumbup:

 

[Dan_Ashley]

Californiaia first time costs:
If over 21: $16,500
If under 21: $22,500.

there should be a mandatory 3 month jail term, DNA recording, and public whipping as well.

 

[kep-up]

OOKAY.... I think I'll pour mesef a wee dram 'o "the water of life".

 

[Frank G]

According to the NTHSA in 2012, 3328 people were killed in distracted driver crashes. (texting) This habit is more dangerous than driving intoxicated. WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE? Where are the equal punishments?

 

[mowin]

According to the NTHSA in 2012, 3328 people were killed in distracted driver crashes. (texting) This habit is more dangerous than driving intoxicated. WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE? Where are the equal punishments?

I agree. Texting and driving is just as dangerous. The punishment has grown some, but not enough in my opinion.

 

[Art Mann]

Hi Art,

Re: Pretty soon, the offending driver would run out of vehicles to drive.

There is some guy here in Oregon who just keeps buying cars to drive while drunk.

They put him in jail ( for not enough time IMO ) but when he gets out, he buys another car.

IMO only a long term jail sentence ( if that ) will work with this guy.

Jerry Baumchen

PS) I personally know someone who has beat 5 DUI's. And my biological father was a lifetime drunk.:wrong:

I am talking about confiscating the vehicle in addition to the normal DUI punishment.