Cops in Dodge City

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Detector

I'm with the rest. Don't want a DUI, don't drive after you drink. "Camping" at a bar for drunk drives just makes good sense.

Some would call that profiling...lol. I think it's a good idea myself.

[hugz]

For those of you who say that it is unfair that the police target drunk drivers. Tell that to this mom

From the Salina Journal....sorry for the cut and paste

Mother speaks out for injured daughter Drunken driver hit teen; now, woman just starting to talk

By The Associated Press

HUTCHINSON — A woman who began speaking 17 years after being hit by a drunken driver “still doesn’t have her life back,” her mother said.

Betsy Scantlin spoke last week about her daughter, Sarah, who regained her ability to speak in 2005, 17 years after suffering brain injuries when a drunken driver hit her as she was walking across a street in Hutchinson.

“She can answer us and she can make statements, but she has never asked a question,” Scantlin told a meeting of the Reno County DUI Impact Panel. “It’s not what you would call a conversation, and I miss that. I wish I could say that it’s OK now that she’s talking, but all I can say is, she’s talking.
She doesn’t have her life back. She’ll never have her life back.”

A a young man asked Scantlin what happened to the person who hit Sarah just after she turned 18 years old. “He got the maximum sentence at the time,” Scantlin answered. “But he doesn’t remember hitting Sarah. I asked him once if he felt bad, and he said he did, but that he doesn’t remember it. That is a real hard statement for me.”

The impact panel was formed in 1992 to help spread information about the effects of drunken driving on families of wreck victims. It targets people on probation or going through the diversion process after being charged with drunken driving.

It also seeks to educate minors who have been charged with illegal consumption or with other alcohol and drug-related offenses.

“Our message is real simple,” said Kansas Highway Patrol Capt. Alan Stoecklein. “If you drink, don’t drive, and here is why.” Those at the sessions are typically under a court order to attend. They come from Reno, Buhler, Lyons and Kingman counties, said Cathy Nisly, municipal court probation officer and panel board member.

The panel has had some success since it was founded, Nisly said.

“As a probation officer, I have people who will come back from listening to a speaker and have come away realizing their actions affect others and how devastating it can be,” she said.

Scantlin said she hopes those attending heard her message

“You always wonder if you make an impact,” she said. “You hope you do. If you can reach just one, then that’s one.”

[Army_of_One]

That's a good story H. It hits home because it's local but the truth is that drunk drivers are destroying families lives everyday. I think the DUI penalty should be much more severe than it is.

[dustinwadams5]

I agree there should be stiffer penalties for DUIs. Cops sitting outside of a place that serves alcohol waiting to catch anybody stupid enough to drink and drive isn't targeting it's protecting and serving.

[Made in the USA]

Maybe they should take your keys when you enter, and not return them unless you can pass a breath test?? Kinda like the gizmo on a car, but alot cheaper.

[dustinwadams5]

That would be a good idea. It would at least help to keep people from driving drunk.

[357 mag]

It would be a good idea, but how many would actually follow through with it and not just give the keys back at closing time because they're ready to go home...

[dustinwadams5]

That is true, but maybe something could be done to "persuade" the bars and clubs that it is a good idea not to give them their keys if they cannot pass a breathalyzer. lol

[357 mag]

Oh yeah, that would definately be something good, however I don't think most would follow through with it! They would claim they didn't understand the instructions! LOL OOPS did I say that.....

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by dustinwadams5

That is true, but maybe something could be done to "persuade" the bars and clubs that it is a good idea not to give them their keys if they cannot pass a breathalyzer. lol

Bars have been sued over patrons leaving drunk and causing harm. One would think that the specter of a lawsuit that could wipe you out would be an incentive.