Comments on: Australia ends unlimited speed highways

By: J.A.N.E.

J.A.N.E. — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 12:12:37 +0000

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome.Something very similar to what Homer Simpson would act like.

By: J.A.N.E.

J.A.N.E. — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 11:36:28 +0000

Anytime you have National Geographic(I think it was)writing about “wet brained” Ozzies(from too much lifting)…might not be a bad idea.Never been there myself.

By: Piablo

Piablo — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 20:48:53 +0000

Shariff – not sure if you were supporting that or not. Either way, that kind of logic would never fly. As it is, responsibility to individuals is becoming a historical tale. My favorite is hearing of the burglar who in the middle of the night climbed onto someone’s roof to sneak in through the skylight. Well he ended up breaking his legs falling through a rotted section of the roof. He sues the home owner for negligence and wins. Now, with judgements being handed out like that, would you want to tend bar if someone’s chances of driving drunk and killing someone rested on your shoulders??

This is somewhat pointless anyway, because at least up to this point, no laws have been passed like that. But the point stands, why in hell lower speed limits becuase they have a drunk driving problem?? It seriously does sound like an American law maker decision. I live in Maryland and **** like that is passed every day. Down with liberals! Elect Libertarians!

By: norby413

norby413 — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 20:15:20 +0000

sharif,
How exactly is the bartender supposed to “stop” someone from driving?? Ever tried to take the keys from a drunk? How is he supposed to determine .2 from .07? Force a blood test on a patron? Your opening up a whole world of hassle and legal gray area.
No, it’s absolutely only ONE persons responsibility: the driver. Period.

By: Sharif

Sharif — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 15:50:28 +0000

Piablo what he means to say is that if a person is clearly drunk, let say his BAC level was at a .2 then it is the bartenders responsibility to prevent tou from driving, but if your not so drunk lets say your BAC level is at a .07 and then you do get in an accident than its not the bartenders fault.

By: Piablo

Piablo — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 15:05:19 +0000

Andre Neves – That’s a pretty dangerous point of view. So bar tenders have a higher responsibility than the drinker themselves?? So I take it that you lack the ability to know when you’ve had enough… or is it just everyone else lacks that ability?

If the bar tender is suppose to bear more responsibility, then by that logic, car salesmen are responsible for selling a car to an idiot driver. The dealership should be responsible for testing? Or how about gun dealers. Are they responsible for someone who buys a gun then kills someone with it? Is McDonalds responsible for fat people getting fat off of their Big Macs?

Very dangerous thinking. I understand this is your idea of trying to help society and fix some of the problems. But ultimately, individuals are responsible for their own actions. People just need to learn their lessons.

By: Hyperion

Hyperion — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 05:35:53 +0000

So in other words….. Australia’s northern terrorities are cash-strapped.

By: norby413

norby413 — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 01:35:38 +0000

If you’ve ever seen where these unrestricted roads are, my question is how are they going to enforce a speed limit? Literally 500 mile stretches of absolutely nothing but scrub brush.
Cameras wont work. They’ll be shotgunned the first night!
Oh well. I guess it’s just one more reason to visit Germany!

By: 010111

010111 — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 23:41:41 +0000

The last of the V8 Interceptors… a piece of history!
Would’ve been a shame to blow it up.

By: A4

A4 — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 22:38:48 +0000

what ever happened to the old-school automatic seatbelts Honda’s had back in the day? maybe they were a little clunky but im sure when a company who emphasizes technology gets their hands on them they could become cool, or be designed in an intuitive kind of way. Not to mention the fact that it reminded people to put the lap strap on as well since it finished half of the job for you. Those really need to comeback. On top of it, i think its a great idea to put the breathalyzers in the car, at least for those who have already been convicted of a drunk driving offense. Yes it may take an extra 10 seconds to get where you are going, but it could be worth it. build the breathalyzer into the Keyfob so you can breath into it on your way to your car. Itll make up for the hassle, and it should have a 1-minute time-out on it so it gives you time to get to the car, but not time to figure something else out. If your over the limit, the keyfob wont work. Its that simple.

By: 6ix

6ix — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:54:42 +0000

Hey Shrub, I did say that I do use my seat-belt. That insurance premium thing is an angle I hadn’t quite thought of though. Interesting.

By: Bush

Bush — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:51:31 +0000

6ix “The seat-belt thing shouldn’t even be a law because the only person I can hurt by not wearing it is myself. Thank the government for another stupid law to protect me from myself.”

True you would get “more” hurt. That just raises the insurance. Poeple not wearing seat belts or whatever just gets passed on to everyone else in premium costs. You’re hurting my pocket book and everyone else’s. Use your head. You are NOT the only one out there.

By: buenos

buenos — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:30:26 +0000

Here they do, and it is a great deterrent. We also have programs where breweries or distilleries will actually pay for the cab ride home.

By: Andre Neves

Andre Neves — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:29:07 +0000

6ix,
The reason IMO I think bars should be responsible, is because after a couple drinks, the person’s mind is impaired and they are no longer able to make certain decisions.

By: Sharif

Sharif — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:26:31 +0000

all great thoughts but I feel that cops should wait outside of bars, or that it should be a law that if your drunk the bar MUST get you a cab back home.

By: buenos

buenos — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:23:27 +0000

Here in Canada we have the R.I.D.E. Program. Police can set up, and pull over cars randomly to check. If you are found over the limit it is an immediate suspension of your license and a fine for the first offense, jail time for subsequent. But, of course, we are a socialized state.

By: 6ix

6ix — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:22:55 +0000

I like Andre’s idea. Police should be able to pull anyone they want over after 11pm. That would make people think twice.
Sorry about your friend, Buenos. That’s BS that the bars are to be held responsible. Doesn’t anyone take responsibility for their own stupid actions anymore???!!!!

By: 6ix

6ix — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:20:15 +0000

I should have put in there that I do wear my seat-belt. And I wear a helmet when I’m on my bike too. Why? Because I think my life and head are actually worth something. And as for driving while drunk, I definately don’t do that. For one, I have respect for life. And secondly (way farther down in terms of importance), I really don’t want to screw up my car or get pulled over. Again, that is exceedingly low in importance. Life over everything.

By: Andre Neves

Andre Neves — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:16:19 +0000

What WOULD also work is Police pulling people over randomly at night. Here in the U.S police need a reason, or else they can’t. But if people were pulled over randomly or if they set up roadblocks more often, there’d be a decrease.

By: buenos

buenos — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:10:41 +0000

I lost a friend to a drunk driver. The driver tried to get the first of the 4 bars he visited that night to sign an affidavit swearing that they had overserved him, and he was therefore not responsible for the fact that he drank at four other establishments before getting behind the wheel of a car. Witnesses at the scene said that he didn’t appear to be drunk, however blood work proved otherwise. Had he had a breathalyzer in his car, my friend would still be alive. His punishment? His license was suspended for a year. The fact of the matter is, HE made the decision to drink to excess, and HE made the decision to get behind the wheel. It is no different than trying to sue the makers of a toaster because they didn’t intervene when you tried to make toast while in the bathtub.

As for not wearing a seatbelt as stated by 6ix above. You’re right… it is impossible to legislate intelligence. Please try to avoid hitting bystanders as you rocket out of your car.

By: 6ix

6ix — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:00:45 +0000

Breahalyzer in the car? Sorry, but that’s crossing some serious boundaries. Can you imagine how big of a pain in the ass that would be? The seat-belt thing shouldn’t even be a law because the only person I can hurt by not wearing it is myself. Thank the government for another stupid law to protect me from myself.

About the only way to limit drunk driving is to have more patrols at night and dramatically increase the fines and punishment. I HATE drunk drivers. I’ve had friends drive drunk and I really let them have it! Pisses me off to no end.

By: Andre Neves

Andre Neves — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:57:57 +0000

^it IS the bar’s responsibility because they are serving a beverage that phycologically alters your mind, the way you think, and your vital senses including your vision.
You say it’s not the bartender’s responsibility for the person to behave like an adult, it’s the person’s. What responsibility do you think the person is going to have AFTER he/she consumes a large amount of alchohol? How can the person make a decision in his/her state of mind? Shouldn’t the person serving the drinks determine wether or not the customer has had enough?

By: 90Z

90Z — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:53:23 +0000

Maybe all of it is a scapegoat; maybe they just need more revenue from the speeding tickets. Lord knows the US loves enforcing speed limits for that reason.

By: Renton

Renton — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:51:04 +0000

If drinking and driving don’t mix, then why do bars have parking lots?

By: buenos

buenos — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:28:04 +0000

Re: the drinking and driving problem starts at the bar.
Why is it that the moment we enter an establishment and have a drink we are relieved of the responsibility for our actions? It shouldn’t be the bartender’s or the bar’s responsibility for you to behave like an adult… it is yours. No breathalyzer in the bar… put it in the car. Same with seatbelts. If it isn’t done up, the car doesn’t start.

By: Hidden_Hunter

Hidden_Hunter — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:20:12 +0000

They can do what our state (Victoria) are introducing for people under 25 busted for drink driving (apparantly under 25’s are the worst) alcohol lock starters on your car…

By: moogleii

moogleii — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:10:46 +0000

The problem with taking away licenses and such is still enforcement. People with DUI’s on their records with their license taken away drive all the time. Not sure what can be done about that.

By: Fatstrat

Fatstrat — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:03:09 +0000

Typical politician ‘feel good’ action. She will probably start wearing a ribbon for it or something.

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 19:54:29 +0000

“Once again, it appears speed is a convenient scapegoat.”

Agreed. Really sorry to see speed limits enforced.

By: A4

A4 — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 19:30:09 +0000

ha yeah brendino i was going to say exactly the same as well
drunk drivers arent going to slow down cause a sign says so

By: Lucifer

Lucifer — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 19:29:14 +0000

^^yes good point, andre.

the amount of anti-car, anti-speeding crap going on!drinking and not wearing seatbelts are fine, but oh going one kmh above the speed limit is totally illegal. it’s just a complete scapegoat and it pisses me off.

how come germany doesn’t have this problem on it’s autobahns?? where there is no speed limit…according to the authorities, all of germany should have been wiped out ages ago

By: Andre Neves

Andre Neves — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 19:05:19 +0000

As for the drinking. I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again. The problem of drinking and driving starts at the bar. That’s where I believe we should be focusing first. Bars should take alittle more responsibility when it comes to it’s customers. I mean, when you got a guy that’s wasted at the bar by himself, chances are he’s going to be leaving by himself also. Which means there’s nobody there to determine whether he’s OK to drive.
Maybe they should have a Valet type personel that take your keys from you at the door, and then give them back to you later on AFTER you take a breathalizer or something.
I dunno.

By: Andre Neves

Andre Neves — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:56:04 +0000

And where are authorities that should be dealing with this? Police?

By: bepsf

bepsf — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:25:17 +0000

Hmmm – Because folks drink & drive, don’t wear seatbelts and run red lights, let’s lower the speed limit?

Ohhh – that makes sense…
…is this gal an American???

By: peter g

peter g — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:24:53 +0000

But I don’t get it: Scapegoats don’t kill, speed does? And on the other hand, good drivers get killed by bad drivers…