Alcohol and Death, The Case of The Drink Driving Granny
by How was it that a repetitive drunk driver was allowed to continue driving, resulting in the death of an innocent person.
Yesterday, a New Zealand 71 year old grandmother was jailed for more than two years after killing a cyclist whilst she was under the influence of too much alcohol. This case that has a lot of people wondering where the justice is. If a young person had killed someone while driving under the influence of alcohol, they would have received a much harsher jail sentence. A young woman has lost her husband and children have lost their father in a situation that could have been prevented.
The shocking thing is, this accident was not the first time the woman had had drink driving convictions. Three times previously she had been convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol. For most drivers, this would have resulted in permanent cancellation of their drivers licence, preventing such a tragedy from occurring.
On the day of the accident resulting in a young man’s death, she had been drinking all day before she got behind the wheel. When tested after the event she was found to have more than twice the legal amount of breath-alcohol limit. This woman had a history of alcohol abuse and had apparently received treatment for alcoholism. One needs to question the wisdom of the legal system, that after past convictions she had been allowed to retain her licence. Even in the days after killing the cyclist on an open road, her licence was only suspended for 28 days. Even now, her licence is only suspended for eight years.
With good behaviour this woman will be out of jail in a short time. She will be free to continue her life. It’s a horrifying thought that, after eight years, she may even get her licence back. Meanwhile a whole family has had their life torn apart.
What message is such a lenient punishment, a mere two years for another life, sending to our young drivers. Many families of young drunk drivers can not believe the short prison sentence, knowing their sons and daughters received harsher punishments for drink driving without taking the life of an innocent person.
Somewhere along the line the judicial system has failed this woman and the family of the man killed. And so have her family and friends. She was recognised as having a problem and yet was still allowed to drive. Obviously we need to examine our laws and prevent this unnecessary taking of life happening again. Drinking and driving are not an accident, they are a stupid choice.
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Post CommentKris Tagre
On February 4, 2010 at 6:01 am
i do agree that Drinking and driving are not an accident, they are a stupid choice.Its shocking that an old lady did this. I have always had thought that all old people are tender and caring and have more wisdom. Apparently, some live to defy that idea.
(”,)
johnnydod
On February 4, 2010 at 8:43 am
Its true what they say ..The Law is an ass
amandeep13
On February 4, 2010 at 9:06 am
Good Stuff
Keep the good work on
giftarist
On February 4, 2010 at 9:16 am
| agree with Kris T. Great post!
Guy Hogan
On February 4, 2010 at 9:21 am
Obviously, in this case the system failed. People make up every system and people are flawed creatures. I know this is no comfort to the people who suffer from the failures of the system.
albert1jemi
On February 4, 2010 at 9:31 am
great share
Lady Sunshine
On February 4, 2010 at 11:29 am
Utterly irresponsible.
diamondpoet
On February 4, 2010 at 11:45 am
There must be a better way to handle this situation, this woman is eventually going to kill someone else, maybe if the family of the victim filed some sort of suit against her, how do people commit such acts and sleep at night. Thanks for sharing.
8Shei8
On February 4, 2010 at 1:19 pm
California is strict with DUI (drinking under the influence). First time offender will get fined, lose license, and perhaps jail. We make mistakes, but repeated mistake is an act of stupidity!
martie
On February 4, 2010 at 2:01 pm
My husband is a recovering alcoholic and has gone off the wagon from time to time. He gave up his license voluntarily years ago because he was afraid to drink and drive and knew that once he drank his common sense went down the tubes.
Atanacio
On February 4, 2010 at 3:31 pm
wow another worth while read
Jewell Elswick
On February 4, 2010 at 5:59 pm
It is indeed sad that such instances happen in the States here as well.
You wrote a well balanced article.
VTech
On February 4, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Wonderful Written
AlmaG
On February 4, 2010 at 10:43 pm
So sad that the judicial system failed for this granny.
Inna Tysoe
On February 5, 2010 at 12:18 am
I am not sure it was lenient. She may well have been served a life sentence.
Regards,
Inna
Shirley Shuler
On February 5, 2010 at 12:43 am
I agree with Lady Sunshine, excellent share, Val.
seema1962
On February 5, 2010 at 3:58 am
I do agree with ur view.
Frances Lawrence
On February 5, 2010 at 6:54 am
In UK we have an offense of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, it carries a much harsher penalty than drink driving or careless driving. This woman should have god a much harsher sentence now, but she should have had her licence withdrawn long ago.
PR Mace
On February 6, 2010 at 3:49 am
There is just no reason to drink and then get behind the wheel of a car. Excellent write.
Midie
On February 6, 2010 at 9:11 am
Society should ban alcohol. They bring more harm than good.
Melody SJAL
On February 6, 2010 at 10:29 am
I agree with Midie, thanks for sharing.
standingproud
On February 6, 2010 at 10:00 pm
law ha
One would think that they should no better after all these years one still gets behind the wheel of the car after drinking I’m with Midie too
BAN Alcohol , it will never happen, I too don’t mind a wine or two, but as always it is those ones that ruin it for others.
fishfry aka Elizabeth Figueroa
On February 10, 2010 at 5:00 am
Great article and yet very sad…………some people are too stupid to realize enough is enough, I am unable to drive.