Pantagraph.com | News | Signs to mark fatal DUI crash sites

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Mike wrote on Aug 27, 2007 9:33 AM:

" Waste of time. I see roadside memorials all the time. Isn't a monument at a cemetery enough? I definitely don't want two grave sites. And what about those who live near the site? I don't want a reminder about some person's death in MY front yard! No offense, I feel bad for you who have lost loved ones, but I don't believe they need to be martyred. "

JD wrote on Aug 25, 2007 7:56 PM:

" Not to mention that we are subjected to a barrage of advertisement daily, and are conditioned to filter the majority of it out. The signs, jumbled in with the thousands of other signs the government has along the roads, will more than likely fall into the category of being filtered out. Combine that with the fact that if they need more signs for not driving DUI, the current ones must already be being either ignored and/or filtered, and adding more will accomplish nothing more than adding another burden for the tax payer. It is a bad, and inconceived idea. "

Simple Solution wrote on Aug 25, 2007 5:50 PM:

" I used to worry about getting a DUI since my job requires driving a company vehicle. So, in 1989 I quit drinking. Haven't had a drink in the past 18 years. Best decision I've ever made. I no longer worry about getting a DUI. Of course, I still have to worry about getting HIT by a driver who is DUI. "

Former Taxi Driver wrote on Aug 25, 2007 5:17 PM:

" I drove a taxi for several years on third shift in the twin cities. On many occassions bartenders would call for a ride for a drunken customer. I would go in the bar and the bartender would pay me for the persons ride home. I would take the customer home and they would offer me up to $100 dollars if I would wait until they went into their home and came out with a spare set of keys to drive them back to their car. I would refuse and later in the night they would either call another cab company or their car would be gone from the bar later in the night. Point being when a person (especially a drunk) makes up their mind to do something, they are going to do it right or wrong. I have always had sympathy for bartenders on the night shift as MOST of them are responsible, considerate people trying to make a living. Don't give the bartenders hell, most of them worry about the patrons more than the patrons worry about themselves. "

Ease Up - again wrote on Aug 25, 2007 5:10 PM:

" The BAIID devices (at least the one I have) have gotten "harder" to use over the last few years. I think there are 2 or 3 different places you can contract with - hence different hardware - but first they made it so it was tougher to blow through. Then they made it so you had to blow, suck, blow - I woud assume to foil the portable air compressor strategy. And yes, the device randomly goes off while driving - called a "rolling retest" so you cannot leave the car running. The device costs about $85 per month. The state requires that you get the unit calibrated every 60 days which means they send you new handheld unit and you unhook the old one and UPS it back to the company for them to read and forward the report to the state. From first had experience, I can tell you it would be almost impossibe to circumvent the device. "

Ease Up wrote on Aug 25, 2007 2:29 PM:

" A lot of outrage, and understandable so... Anyway, I want to share my story. I have had a three DUIs. Two in a short time span when I was a teen. The for whatever ignorant reason, I decided to do it again in my late 20s. Well, I am 40 and I do have the BAIID (interlock) device which is MANDATORY. I was denied permission to just drive to work for years before I even got the work license. I know no one has sympathy for me - nor do I expect it, but I have kids, a good job and quite drinking a LONG TIME AGO. Please remember that I/we are still human beings when you are suggesting the license plates and lifetime driving banishments. I still have to work. "

To: what wrote on Aug 25, 2007 2:08 PM:

" BAIID devices require perdiodic re-tests (every 5-15 minutes at random) while the car is running. You can't leave your car running while you're drinking somewhere and expect to drive it afterward. Also, anyone carrying around a portable air compressor is way out there and I doubt it would even work since it takes a certain force of blow. "

Great idea regarding... wrote on Aug 25, 2007 2:04 PM:

" the signs and even GREATER idea regarding the ignition lock. Sorry to those who want to get something else to blow into the breathalizer, but there ARE ways to check that, too. They can't be fooled all that easily. I also agree that second offenders should go to the pen, but then I've always thought first timers ought to go to the pen, too. Your Governor FINALLY did something RIGHT!! "

lets wait and see wrote on Aug 25, 2007 12:44 PM:

" cant wait to see how funny it will be to see how many of these signs are taken out by drunk drivers running off the road. "

Summer wrote on Aug 25, 2007 12:32 PM:

" This summer I lost a cousin, due to a drunk driver. I personally am not for posting up signs. I feel there is too much clutter on the road ways as it is. First offense should be harsher, why wait until the second offense. Maybe the bars should be more accountable too. I have seen someone drunker than all get out, the keys were taken away. I did not find out to the next day, at shift change the new bartender gave her the keys back. Was I furious!! THey should put a breathalizer in the bars and if they are in too bad of shape to drive...then a taxi is called and the keys are dropped in a box of some sort until they sober up and get the keys the next day. "

the problem isn't government wrote on Aug 25, 2007 12:15 PM:

" No, the problem is the naysayers (several of them have posted comments here) who whine and blubber everytime government does anything. These whiners never have any constructive solutions to anything. They just whine. As Sam Rayburn used to say, "It takes a skilled carpenter to build a barn, but any jackass can kick one down." "

Great Idea! wrote on Aug 25, 2007 10:24 AM:

" It is good to be reminded not to drink and drive. Especially when you have the potential to hurt innocent people. Driving fatallities are gruesome. "

You miss the point wrote on Aug 25, 2007 10:01 AM:

" if you think the signs are meant for the drunk. They're meant for the sober driver to see on his/her way to work, school, or to pick up the kids. Then, at 11 o'clock that night, maybe he'll pause before he drives. Maybe. As someone said earlier, if it makes only person reconsider, it's a worthy project. Many other posters here seem to think this is a waste of money. I once heard that locking our doors deters only the honest people. Perhaps the same holds with these signs; they won't deter the hardcore drinkers but perhaps they stop the person who has to much to drink on his one night out a month. It can't hurt and government has wasted money on less worthy projects in the past. "

what wrote on Aug 25, 2007 9:33 AM:

" about the people who leave their cars running at bars so they don't have to "restart" their car. it happens. believe me. "

to taxpayer wrote on Aug 25, 2007 9:21 AM:

" Then again, if these signs make even a few people stop and think about drinking and driving, by preventing just one accident the signs will not cost money, they'll save money. And, no, I don't expect you to be able to understand that. "

Biggest drunks wrote on Aug 25, 2007 8:25 AM:

" Are politicians. Maybe there should be a sign on the Chappaquiddick bridge! "

I lost ~ wrote on Aug 25, 2007 8:09 AM:

" A loved one to a drunk. If these signs saves someone from getting behind the wheel and killing another person, then obviously it's worth it. May you all never have to endure this terrible tragedy. "

To: jocko wrote on Aug 25, 2007 7:42 AM:

" Yes, they're going to do something. They're going to make millions for some friend of one of the politicians... "

jocko wrote on Aug 25, 2007 7:00 AM:

" Just get a portable air tank and let it do the blowing. Do you really think those locking devices are going to do anything? "

To Taxpayer... wrote on Aug 25, 2007 4:14 AM:

" Yoou shaid a mouful. Now who were you speakin about payin on these here shines... I mmush guess thad you're shpeakin about... where was I goin with thad thought. I'm all for the Lohans and Ritches and Gibsons and actors of the (hic*) of the world (hic*) of the world (hic*) of the world... to as Bush would say untie. This is reall y hard tp type and drive at the same time... "

to don wrote on Aug 25, 2007 2:38 AM:

" i agree....thats a great idea "

Heres Another Way To Waste Taxdollars wrote on Aug 25, 2007 2:22 AM:

" What a stupid idea. Personally when I am drinking and driving I dont take my eyes off the road to look for any color markers on the side of the road. If I were to do this I might miss an important sign that would indicate where the next tavern is located. Does anyone really think a person is going to be swayed one way or the other to not drink and drive by some silly little roadside marker? If all the other visuals that are flashed in front of drivers on a daily basis is not enough to deter impaired driving, this would certainly just be a joke. "

Don wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:40 PM:

" They should place a sighn on the Drunk drivers vehical.Warning motorists they have had one DUI.They should have to drive with that sighn for the rest of there life.If they are repeat offenders they should not be allowed to ever get there license back.Perhaps a DUI license plate would be the way to go? "

Think BEFORE you Drink and Drive! wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:25 PM:

" Finally! This makes total sense. We're all too aware that drinking and driving have life altering affects. Some of us live with this affects for the rest of our lives. People don't pay attention to words only. Add money/fines to the mix, perhaps more attention will be given and less tragedies will occur. There's nothing wrong with drinking, but if that's what you choose to do don't subject innocent people to reaping the consequences of your actions. If you don't want the fines, make the responsible choice. If you're going to drink, don't drive. Get a ride home. If you're a true friend, you won't let your friend drive drunk. If the money's not enough to disuade you, perhaps manslaughter (murder) will be. At least then you'll never have the opportunity to drive again...or get drunk. Think before you drink and drive! By the way, the people who commit the crime should have to pay for the signs and place them at the site. The family and loved ones have already paid too high a price by losing their loved one. "

why so long? wrote on Aug 24, 2007 10:53 PM:

" Why is the interlock law not going in effect until 2009. I think it should be much sooner. "

To JD wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:19 PM:

" You are spot on with your comment. It's time to enact some real legislation and stop with these "feel good" laws. This state is in real trouble and this is just another reason. Hopefully no state highway workers are injured installing these signs. Come on lawmakers, knock off this kind of crap. By the way, is it in the budget? "

nice move wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:04 PM:

" Its good to make Drunken drivers install interlock......nice move!! "

a reader wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:25 PM:

" ...heck, move to CA, there if u get busted with a DUI you get 82 mins or 1 day of jail time....that's SAD!! "

JD wrote on Aug 24, 2007 6:41 PM:

" These signs will be just as effective as the other of millions of signs no one cares about. It is nothing but a 'feel good' program that will cost a lot of money, achieve nothing, and make even more people wonder why their taxes are so high. "

What the?? wrote on Aug 24, 2007 6:11 PM:

" So, how long before we have sign on top of sign? The people that drink and drive are not gonna care one bit about the signs. I like the ignition lock system. The DUI offender should have to pay for it and if they can't afford it, they get their car taken. "

? wrote on Aug 24, 2007 5:57 PM:

" The drunks couldn't see a person working on the road what makes people think they'll be able to read and see a sign? "

Better idea wrote on Aug 24, 2007 5:55 PM:

" Make judges place harsher penalties for multiple DUI offenders unlike what happens in Mclean county when a multiple offender gets a slap on the hand and still drives. PRISON TIME FOR A SECOND OFFENSE and a harsh fine! "

taxpayer wrote on Aug 24, 2007 5:49 PM:

" i hope the cost of buying and installing these stupid signs are passed on to the family and taxpayers are not paying for them "

Well, wrote on Aug 24, 2007 5:29 PM:

" That bites, my brother was killed by a drunk in 96. I'm going for it, and try to get one anyway. "

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