You know what I’d love to see? A life in prison conviction for the judges who didn’t convict him to a sentence like this for the previous 9 times he was convicted.
Yes, life sentences for people who get their first DUI. Another genius policy prescription by “conservatives” who don’t want big government, or government intervening in society.
Does anyone have experience with the breath tests that are tied to the ignition? You need to blow into the machine before you can start the car. It sounds like something that could be defeated, but might be useful for someone not actively evil like the guy in this article. Is there any data?
Agent does not talk to his clients. That is what his minimum wage staff is for. He just blogs all day and collects the cash. Then he lets a little trickle down.
I don’t have any experience with Ignition Interlock Devices, but I know some state’s require installing one of them in the car of someone who has had multiple (or even single) DUI’s. You could always have your sober friend blow into the machine and ‘you’ could still drive drunk as I don’t think those machines have any tests built in to identify the person blowing into the unit is the one who is required to do so.
Could you be a little more specific and explain what kind of data you were hoping would be provided here?
In Pennsylvania once you start the car, it will re-test you occasionally to make sure you, the person who did the original blow-test, is going to pass the test again. Unless you tamper with the device, and that is COSTLY, you can’t defeat this thing. Oh you could have someone start your car but you aren’t going far before the first “running test” is required. And if you don’t take a re-test, say you were in traffic and it wouldn’t be wise to do it right away, it will continue to beep but wait another 3 minutes. If you don’t take the re-test after this grace period, it will shut down and you can’t restart the car, without waiting for a four minute timeout. And then you’ll have to start all over again. Those who try to fool these things find it hard to do and have a lot more trouble with the device as they go.
Wally. It may have changed since the last time I researched these around 8-10 years ago (I should re-examine it to be up to date). But, you have to blow into them for something like 10 seconds. Originally people would get around them by holding them out the window when they drove, so they instituted a method where you have to hum to make the mouthpiece vibrate which seemed to do away with that type of cheating.
The main way people can cheat now is to have another person blow into the device, but most places set it goes off randomly over some time period–usually something like 30 minutes. This way somebody cannot have another person blow into it at home and then leave, they would have to be in the car, and at that point they would probably just drive the car themselves as the sober person.
If a person fails due to a high BAC or fails a set number of times from not blowing long enough or getting the vibration right the car will not start for a set amount of time–usually 15-20 minutes. If a person is driving and starts drinking so it goes over the limit, or if they don’t blow into it at the random time the car does not turn off, because that would be dangerous, but the alarm goes off so it honks and flashes the lights.
That was 10 or so years ago so there have probably been advances since then.
I did some reading UW, and what I found was what you indicated. I know Vermont has implemented the use of these systems, and probably some other states. My state is considering it.
I asked the question because I am going to be at a function with my state rep, and I think it is worth calling to her attention.
In Florida, one of the manufacturers also has a camera attached to the Interlock that snaps random pictures of the driver from time of turning on machine to turning off engine. With the camera, it is hard to get your “friends” to blow into the mouthpiece. It is also very expensive to have installed along with the monthly fee. The pictures are sent to the parole officer along with the dates and times the car is driven and the milage is also logged. Quite a dandy machine……
No accidents noted
No injuries noted
Should he be behind the wheel? No
Should he be imprisoned for life?
You’ve gotta be kidding!
Just a wee bit disproportionate.
article says eligible for parole in ten, so it isn’t a true life sentence, and with no injuries noted, I see Dave’s point. But he’s not indicating any signs of rehabilitation. He needs to be on a very short leash, and nothing else is working. State of Texas doesn’t want to be on the hook for his end-of-life medical care, anyhow.
Dave, should we wait until he kills or paralyzes someone like the repeat offender who paralyzed my brother on his fourth DUI. What is the magic number when we stop rehab and just imprison. I wish it had been three in my state. My brother could still walk now.
Since they say alcoholism is a disease then shouldn’t treatment be what he needs rather than life in prison? At his age 10 years could be life. I am not giving my opinion here just a question. I see people who believe it is a disease and others feel it is self-imposed disease at best. Life seems harsh but who knows what is best in this case.
buhbye
You know what I’d love to see? A life in prison conviction for the judges who didn’t convict him to a sentence like this for the previous 9 times he was convicted.
This guy may have to resort to making hootch in his jail cell. At least he won’t be driving while drunk.
seriously, what is up with the judges in texas who kept giving this guy a break even after he was arrested for his 5th DUI?
Yes, life sentences for people who get their first DUI. Another genius policy prescription by “conservatives” who don’t want big government, or government intervening in society.
To a man, straight-up dolts.
Does anyone have experience with the breath tests that are tied to the ignition? You need to blow into the machine before you can start the car. It sounds like something that could be defeated, but might be useful for someone not actively evil like the guy in this article. Is there any data?
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
You truly do not know anything about anything. How the hell do you in good conscience give advice to people about their insurance?
UW,
Agent does not talk to his clients. That is what his minimum wage staff is for. He just blogs all day and collects the cash. Then he lets a little trickle down.
I don’t have any experience with Ignition Interlock Devices, but I know some state’s require installing one of them in the car of someone who has had multiple (or even single) DUI’s. You could always have your sober friend blow into the machine and ‘you’ could still drive drunk as I don’t think those machines have any tests built in to identify the person blowing into the unit is the one who is required to do so.
Could you be a little more specific and explain what kind of data you were hoping would be provided here?
In Pennsylvania once you start the car, it will re-test you occasionally to make sure you, the person who did the original blow-test, is going to pass the test again. Unless you tamper with the device, and that is COSTLY, you can’t defeat this thing. Oh you could have someone start your car but you aren’t going far before the first “running test” is required. And if you don’t take a re-test, say you were in traffic and it wouldn’t be wise to do it right away, it will continue to beep but wait another 3 minutes. If you don’t take the re-test after this grace period, it will shut down and you can’t restart the car, without waiting for a four minute timeout. And then you’ll have to start all over again. Those who try to fool these things find it hard to do and have a lot more trouble with the device as they go.
Wally. It may have changed since the last time I researched these around 8-10 years ago (I should re-examine it to be up to date). But, you have to blow into them for something like 10 seconds. Originally people would get around them by holding them out the window when they drove, so they instituted a method where you have to hum to make the mouthpiece vibrate which seemed to do away with that type of cheating.
The main way people can cheat now is to have another person blow into the device, but most places set it goes off randomly over some time period–usually something like 30 minutes. This way somebody cannot have another person blow into it at home and then leave, they would have to be in the car, and at that point they would probably just drive the car themselves as the sober person.
If a person fails due to a high BAC or fails a set number of times from not blowing long enough or getting the vibration right the car will not start for a set amount of time–usually 15-20 minutes. If a person is driving and starts drinking so it goes over the limit, or if they don’t blow into it at the random time the car does not turn off, because that would be dangerous, but the alarm goes off so it honks and flashes the lights.
That was 10 or so years ago so there have probably been advances since then.
I did some reading UW, and what I found was what you indicated. I know Vermont has implemented the use of these systems, and probably some other states. My state is considering it.
I asked the question because I am going to be at a function with my state rep, and I think it is worth calling to her attention.
In Florida, one of the manufacturers also has a camera attached to the Interlock that snaps random pictures of the driver from time of turning on machine to turning off engine. With the camera, it is hard to get your “friends” to blow into the mouthpiece. It is also very expensive to have installed along with the monthly fee. The pictures are sent to the parole officer along with the dates and times the car is driven and the milage is also logged. Quite a dandy machine……
No accidents noted
No injuries noted
Should he be behind the wheel? No
Should he be imprisoned for life?
You’ve gotta be kidding!
Just a wee bit disproportionate.
article says eligible for parole in ten, so it isn’t a true life sentence, and with no injuries noted, I see Dave’s point. But he’s not indicating any signs of rehabilitation. He needs to be on a very short leash, and nothing else is working. State of Texas doesn’t want to be on the hook for his end-of-life medical care, anyhow.
Dave, should we wait until he kills or paralyzes someone like the repeat offender who paralyzed my brother on his fourth DUI. What is the magic number when we stop rehab and just imprison. I wish it had been three in my state. My brother could still walk now.
Since they say alcoholism is a disease then shouldn’t treatment be what he needs rather than life in prison? At his age 10 years could be life. I am not giving my opinion here just a question. I see people who believe it is a disease and others feel it is self-imposed disease at best. Life seems harsh but who knows what is best in this case.
Wayne2, After 10 DUI’s you would think that Treatment has already been tried. It’s now a matter of keeping others on the road safe.