Drinking and Driving: A Story and a Warning

[eumoria]

I don't know why I'm posting this I just need to yell at the air I guess.

I just received a call from one of my brother's friends that my brother has been arrested for his 4th DUI. Some villuns may know him as doublethink occasionally on warpath. In NYS (as in most states) multiple offenses lead to harsher and harsher sentences. In NY this is known as "the bad one." Basically he isn't getting out of jail anytime soon. His job working as an engineer with Underwriters Laboratories was provisional that he never had an incident again. In short, in jail and now no job.

Some of you may not be old enough to drink or even drive yet but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE THINK before get behind the wheel or even drive to a party or bar. I work as a bartender on the weekend and I've seen too many people's lives ruined either by just committing it to begin with or killing others while they make their stupid, stupid decision.

PLEASE think about my brother the next time you see a friend try to drive when you know they shouldn't. Giving them a black eye to stop them is nothing compared to them ruining their or someone else's life.

I'm shaking and sick. Sorry to depress anyone

[kkpyro]

Eumoria, your message is a good one. I have seen bad decisions ruin many lives as well. It is heartbreaking.

Thank you for the reminder, my friend. I hope your brother gets the help he needs.

[TheCarpe]

There are no words I can say that will comfort you in this time. My sympathies for you and your family, eumoria.

[c4ridw3n]

I can't imagine, Eumoria... such a waste of good talents and now he is cut off from loved ones as well. People think they are invincible when they drink. If our society was more cognizant that DUI's are likely to continue FOREVER, bars would be equipped with recovery rooms and to get a drink you would have to hand over your keys and to get your keys back you would have to test sober. Better yet, cars would have tests inside of them.

My thoughts and love are with you and your family... take care, friend.

[Soltan]

I hope this serves as a wake up call for your brother, Eumoria.

I was nearly killed 26 years ago by a drunk behind the wheel of a 10 wheeled dump truck (w/ a full load of dirt, btw, he worked for a pool company and spent a year in jail for hitting me). I basically have little to no sympathy for those that choose to do so as a result of this.

I live in Arizona, one of the toughest, if not THE toughest, states when it comes to DUI. First offense is currently 10 days in jail (Sheriff Joe's tent city) and you have to install an ignition interlock device to blow start your car. Second offense is 30 days in tent city. It's amazing to me how many people fail to seek treatment for their problem after the first offense.

We all make mistakes, the key is learning from them and moving on.

[eumoria]

I hope this serves as a wake up call for your brother, Eumoria.

God I hope so too I assume endlessly punching his face when he gets out probably wouldn't help so I'll try and be supportive.

Thank you for all the kind thoughts, everyone

[The Domer]

Alcoholism is a mental illness and can be treated. Don't wait until it's too late.

[dammets89]

My thoughts go out for you and your family eumoria. My brother also got arrested for drinking and driving years back, and even though him driving isnt an issue now, he still has severe drinking problems and refuses to admit it or get help. I can't count how many times I just wanted to punch him in the face for keeping my mother up all night and acting like everythings ok the next day. Just last week he was found sleeping in a bus station at 4 in the morning and was brought to the hospital for being so drunk, luckily that was the case instead of having something stolen or god forbid killed.

Like soltan says, I hope this is a wake up call for your brother.

[metacide]

My sister has been arrested a few times for drinking and driving (license currently suspended) and her current boyfriend has totaled at least 2 vehicles due to the same issue (while having no license).

I don't buy in to the whole "AA" mentality about giving yourself up to a higher power but if it helps your brother quit drinking drag his ass to the meetings.

My word of caution would be to be on the lookout for a replacement addiction. If he gives up alcohol he may pick up something nastier to replace it.

[eumoria]

My word of caution would be to be on the lookout for a replacement addiction. If he gives up alcohol he may pick up something nastier to replace it.

This is a very good point a friend of mine from high school struggled with alcohol, finally gave it up only to become addicted to pain pills. Addiction is a strong beast

[lyn]

Thank you for putting this out there, it is definitely a message I can get behind.
It is such a foolish thing to do when there are other ways to go about getting home, and if you're not going home then it isn't worth going out for if you're already intoxicated.
I lost my father to drinking and driving when I was a little girl. He wasn't the one behind the wheel - just the passenger. I sympathize with you immensely. I hope your brother takes it as a wake up call. It sucks right now, but things can only go up from here. Hang in there.

[Zork Nemesis]

This is one of those things they seriously drilled in to us during my short time in the Navy. They constantly reminded us (as in, we had mandatory sessions about it every 3-4 months) about how this can affect not only those involved but your future and career in the armed forces as a whole.

I remember one day while I was stationed at Naval Station Norfolk. One of our higher-ups (a Petty Officer First Class, E-6) ended up getting into an accident because he was driving after a few drinks. I don't remember the specifics, but he ended up hitting a pedestrian as a result. Luckily the person survived but with some serious injuries. Everyone in the division, myself included, were called to the auditorium a short time later to hear about it from him and how he effectively screwed up big time, and potentially ruined someone else's life in the process. Because of his otherwise outstanding service, he was only dropped to E-5 but I believe he was given at least four to six months of half-pay suspension from the resulting Captain's Mast. There probably was more but I either don't remember or he didn't share those facts. But, he had been a candidate to make Chief when it happened, so that went out the window.

So yeah, it might be hard to make the call when you're already under the table, but do whatever you can to stop yourself from picking up the keys.

It could be worse you know. Many countries have much harsher DUI/DWI penalties. I might be going by outdated information, but it's my understanding that some countries are willing to revoke licenses for life on the first offense. Supposedly in Malaysia if you're arrested for DUI and are married, your spouse is put in jail too, even if he/she's not involved in your DUI incident. Even worse, supposedly in Turkey you're taken 20 miles out of town and are forced to walk back to the police station (with an escort).

[three_gunn]

Excellent message. Prayers and positive vibes to you and your family. Hope everything works out.