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From: joel@peora.UUCP (Joel Upchurch)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: DWI restricts you to a motorcycle license for life
Message-ID: <1382@peora.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 29-Jul-85 10:38:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: peora.1382
Posted: Mon Jul 29 10:38:38 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Aug-85 20:57:16 EDT
References: <3313@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Perkin-Elmer SDC, Orlando, Fl.
Lines: 41


        I don't agree that a motorcycle is as dangerous as  a  car  to
        the other people on the road.  In the first place the risks to
        other people in automobiles is greatly reduced, because of the
        differences  in  the  weights of the two vechicles.  The risks
        for pedestrians and bicyclists is reduced, since a  motorcycle
        is  smaller  than  an  automobile  it  is less likely to hit a
        pedestrain, and if the motorcyclist does he is less likely  to
        be in any condition to keep on going and hit a 2nd  pedestrian
        or a 3rd.  Also because operating a motorcycle has less margin
        for error, the operator is far more likely to wipe himself out
        without any other party being involved.

        But I don't agree that giving a drunk a motorcycle licence  is
        the  solution.  It  someone  is convicted of DUI suspend their
        licence and they get caught driving throw them in the slammer.
        A  person  who  drives a car drunk is showing contempt for the
        health and safety of the general public and  if  that  doesn't
        constitute  criminal behavior I don't know what does.  Even if
        a person has a drinking problem, he can arrange it so that his
        problem doesn't endanger the general public.

	Amoung the options available:

        1.  Drink at home or at least at  some  place  where  you  can
        sleep until you sober up.

	2. Take a bus or cab home.

	3. Walk home.

	4. Have someone else drive home.

        Now it is a little hard to ask a drunk to figure out  what  to
        do, so make your plans before you get blitzed.  It you are the
        host you shouldn't let any guest drive home if  you  have  any
        doubts  about their ability to operate a motor vechicle.  This
        means that if you are the host you better  stay  fairly  sober
        yourself.

	TO REITERATE: BEING DRUNK IS NO EXCUSE FOR DRIVING DRUNK.