Will this new law prove effective? What do you think?

A new Tennessee law is enlisting the power of shame to discourage drunken driving -- even the governor, law enforcement officials and various experts are calling it an expensive and bad idea.

Starting Sunday, convicted drunken drivers are required to do 24 hours of roadside cleanup while wearing orange vests emblazoned with the phrase "I am a Drunk Driver."
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I don't understand how some can be so convinced that this idea would be expensive or bad. Most (if not all) States have a form of community service in place already. It may not affect the long term alcoholic but to young people it may be a very good deterrent.

 

This law will probably be effective as a deterrent for first time drunk driving offenders--however, this is not a cure--only Jesus is the cure.

 

Or hanging.

 

Stiffer penalties! Maybe they ought to get an education of cleaning up after a car wreck that was caused by a drunk driver. Hold the person as they are being cut out with the jaws of life. Maybe they ought to be taken to a home to where a loved one is told that _________ (fill in the blank ....maybe a daddy or a mommy or a son.....) won't be comming home. Don't shame them.....show them what their choice to drink and drive has consequences. Also nip it in the bud make it manditory that they go to counceling and attend a alcohol program. It ought to stop with the first act of drunk driving. If after the first offence they are arrested for a 2nd offence ...off to prision eveidently the lesson wasn't learned. So do not pass go, do not collect $200.oo.

 

Well, they used to put people in stocks in the public square for crimes with a sign telling what their crime was. Some old ways are the best ways.

I think this will be a great deterrent for teenagers who want to drink and drive. They suffer from a lot of peer pressure and this would be a total humiliation to have their friends see them undergoing this punishment.

If it helps to prevent victims of drunk driving, it's worth it.

 

The only thing that prevents drunk driving is not drinking OR not driving. Deaths by drunk driving are 100% preventable.

In my years of law enforcement, there has never been anyone I have come across that 'want' to drink and drive. It isnt necessarily a concious choice. That is what needs to happen - more people making concious choices.

 

I agree with you there emeraldctyangel--a concious choice can't be made when your brain is clouded from drinking beverage alcohol.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1)

 

They also used to nail people's ears to the stocks. It was not uncommon for passerbys to stone the stocked or fling excrement on them as they were considered fair game.

And some are not.

 

People need to understand that if you drink an alcoholic beverage then you shouldn't drive. Period.

 

Hi,

In the UK if you drink and drive at the minimum you lose your license. Obviously I don't know if this applies the USA but I would presume that with the much greater necessity of cars in the US that it should be effective if applied.

regards

 

It's an interesting law. I'm sure it will have some effect, but I doubt it will be any more or less effective than more "traditional" penalties. I doubt that it will result in a decrease in drunk driving over time.

It would be interesting to see some statistics in a few years.

 

Yep

 

I think this is a good idea for first offenses, plus loss of driving privileges for a year. Second offense should be a capital crime, though.

 

I donno but I think there is a underlying problem with those who drink and drive. If you take their drivers liscense and sometimes even their cars away they will still find a way to get drunk and get behind the wheel. I say let them get up close and personel with the havoc they cause other people let them see the results and get them counceling! Putting a person who gets caught out on public display like that may embarrass them but it may cause embarrasment to their family also. Should the whole family pay for it? What about the child of a drunk driver should he have to go to school and be teased because his classmates seen his parent with one of those orange vest?

Selah
Music4Him

 

Should he be excused because his punishment is going to affect his family?

Just one more proof that what YOU do does affect others; especially your loved ones.

Should and DO are two different animals.

Sometimes the option of "EFFECTS" is not in our hands, as in the case of DUIs.

 

No he shouldn't be excused from punishment! But the law they are supposing to humiliate a drunk driver is stupid and I don't see how it won't just cause more problems instead of helping the person overcome their weakness! I have worked a head on accident and its not a good thing. Once you see it you never forget it. One of our guys had to hold the woman (descesed already) as they cut her out of her car. The man in the other vehical passed as we got up to his vehical.
My way of reasoning is "if" a person on their first offence of drunk driving could see what devistation they could cause and who all it touches (including their family)....there may be a better chance (with adding counceling along with it) of keeping them from doing it again. I'm sorry I don't remember no where in the bible where it says to humiliate others for their short commings?

 

OK, if you want to use this logic, where does it say "DON'T humiliate others"?

Seems Jesus did just that right here!