Drunk boaters
 

A common scene on the water.

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from
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/...in711940.shtml



(CBS) People who would never drive drunk somehow forget that lesson when it
comes to partying on the water.

"We have cases where people have run into each other on jet skis while
intoxicated," says Judge Lex Anderson. "People have run into islands, and
people have been decapitated by propellers of boats."

Across the country, there are more than 5,000 boating accidents every year
and alcohol has a role in many of them. While California and Florida top the
list, The Early Show correspondent Hattie Kauffman reports, desert-bound
Arizona has some of the highest accidents rates in the country. Many of
those accused of OUI, operating a boat under the influence, end up in court.

"The lakes now are just so jam packed, compared to what they were even a few
years ago," one judge says. "Just the volume of people coming in with OUI
tickets has just skyrocketed."

One of them was Angel Lindbergh, 19, convicted of manslaughter in the death
of her best friend.

"Because I was being irresponsible," she says, "My best friend is now gone."
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Make sure to view the video link at the upper left corner of the page.

This situation won't change until more prosecutors are prepared to charge
violators with murder instead of manslaughter, and put them away for LONG
periods of time. I'm aware of one case where this worked (for automobile
DWI). Just one. I'm sure it's rare.

"*JimH*" wrote in message
...
A common scene on the water.

=========================================
from
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/...in711940.shtml



(CBS) People who would never drive drunk somehow forget that lesson when
it comes to partying on the water.

"We have cases where people have run into each other on jet skis while
intoxicated," says Judge Lex Anderson. "People have run into islands, and
people have been decapitated by propellers of boats."

Across the country, there are more than 5,000 boating accidents every year
and alcohol has a role in many of them. While California and Florida top
the list, The Early Show correspondent Hattie Kauffman reports,
desert-bound Arizona has some of the highest accidents rates in the
country. Many of those accused of OUI, operating a boat under the
influence, end up in court.

"The lakes now are just so jam packed, compared to what they were even a
few years ago," one judge says. "Just the volume of people coming in with
OUI tickets has just skyrocketed."

One of them was Angel Lindbergh, 19, convicted of manslaughter in the
death of her best friend.

"Because I was being irresponsible," she says, "My best friend is now
gone."
================================================== ===========

Make sure to view the video link at the upper left corner of the page.


I live 1/2 mile from the Fox River in Illinois. I had a boat on this river
for 1 season. The amount of fast cigarette type speed boats and drunk
drivers was staggering. Whats worse, the river is maybe 5 feet deep, at some
points, 150 feet wide. These guys drive their fast boats next to other
slower boats at speeds upward of 50 MPH. Needless to say I moved the boat to
some quiet Wisconsin lakes. Amazing how many bars are on the Fox.

Hey I am all about partying, but this is too much.

Doug,
It is becoming normal for DUI violators to be charged with murder when a
death is involved. The charge might be murder in the 2nd degree, but repeat
DUI violators who then have a DUI involving a death are being charged in the
1st degree. I am aware of one person who received the death penalty for a
DUI death.

I an not a proponent of the death penalty, but I am glad DUI is not being
aggressively prosecuted.


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
This situation won't change until more prosecutors are prepared to charge
violators with murder instead of manslaughter, and put them away for LONG
periods of time. I'm aware of one case where this worked (for automobile
DWI). Just one. I'm sure it's rare.

Cool. I wonder if 20+ years in prison will dissuade anyone. But, at least
they're off the streets.


"Dr. Dr. . R. Name" wrote in message
...
Doug,
It is becoming normal for DUI violators to be charged with murder when a
death is involved. The charge might be murder in the 2nd degree, but
repeat DUI violators who then have a DUI involving a death are being
charged in the 1st degree. I am aware of one person who received the
death penalty for a DUI death.

I an not a proponent of the death penalty, but I am glad DUI is not being
aggressively prosecuted.


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
This situation won't change until more prosecutors are prepared to charge
violators with murder instead of manslaughter, and put them away for LONG
periods of time. I'm aware of one case where this worked (for automobile
DWI). Just one. I'm sure it's rare.

Doug,
DUI deaths has steadily declined (almost 40% since 1982). Party / casual
drinkers are more likely to use a designated driver.

It appears that a big part of the problem are alcoholics. 1/3 of all DUI's
are the repeat offenders. If they are locked up, they will not repeat the
offense.


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
Cool. I wonder if 20+ years in prison will dissuade anyone. But, at least
they're off the streets.


"Dr. Dr. . R. Name" wrote in message
...
Doug,
It is becoming normal for DUI violators to be charged with murder when a
death is involved. The charge might be murder in the 2nd degree, but
repeat DUI violators who then have a DUI involving a death are being
charged in the 1st degree. I am aware of one person who received the
death penalty for a DUI death.

I an not a proponent of the death penalty, but I am glad DUI is not being
aggressively prosecuted.


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
This situation won't change until more prosecutors are prepared to
charge violators with murder instead of manslaughter, and put them away
for LONG periods of time. I'm aware of one case where this worked (for
automobile DWI). Just one. I'm sure it's rare.

"Dr. Dr. . R. Name" wrote in message
...
Doug,
It is becoming normal for DUI violators to be charged with murder when a
death is involved. The charge might be murder in the 2nd degree, but
repeat
DUI violators who then have a DUI involving a death are being charged in
the
1st degree. I am aware of one person who received the death penalty for a
DUI death.

I an not a proponent of the death penalty, but I am glad DUI is not being
aggressively prosecuted.

But, I wish the pursuit would be of the high offenders, the mindset
here(at least in some communities) seems to be to turn it into another cash
cow for the guvmint.....with overaggressive enforcement at the lower end
( high fines, "community service" counseling,...which drums up more work for
the 'connected' while the multiple repeat offenders seem to be able to get
away with it time and again. (one of my dock neighbors is a cop on a DUI
unit)



"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
This situation won't change until more prosecutors are prepared to
charge
violators with murder instead of manslaughter, and put them away for
LONG
periods of time. I'm aware of one case where this worked (for automobile
DWI). Just one. I'm sure it's rare.

What's scary about the alcoholics is that some begin drinking in the
morning, and some drivers (and boaters, I assume) are less likely to be
looking out for totally insane behavior. My son just began driving, and I've
been pounding this message into his head for the past month after he saw
someone run a red light at 60+ mph.


"Dr. Dr. . R. Name" wrote in message
...
Doug,
DUI deaths has steadily declined (almost 40% since 1982). Party / casual
drinkers are more likely to use a designated driver.

It appears that a big part of the problem are alcoholics. 1/3 of all
DUI's
are the repeat offenders. If they are locked up, they will not repeat the
offense.


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
Cool. I wonder if 20+ years in prison will dissuade anyone. But, at least
they're off the streets.


"Dr. Dr. . R. Name" wrote in message
...
Doug,
It is becoming normal for DUI violators to be charged with murder when a
death is involved. The charge might be murder in the 2nd degree, but
repeat DUI violators who then have a DUI involving a death are being
charged in the 1st degree. I am aware of one person who received the
death penalty for a DUI death.

I an not a proponent of the death penalty, but I am glad DUI is not
being
aggressively prosecuted.


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
This situation won't change until more prosecutors are prepared to
charge violators with murder instead of manslaughter, and put them away
for LONG periods of time. I'm aware of one case where this worked (for
automobile DWI). Just one. I'm sure it's rare.

On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 15:16:05 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

This situation won't change until more prosecutors are prepared to charge
violators with murder instead of manslaughter, and put them away for LONG
periods of time. I'm aware of one case where this worked (for automobile
DWI). Just one. I'm sure it's rare.

I lost my sister to a drunk driver who was pleaded out to manslaughter
and served 6 months community service - 8 hours per week.

I agree with you entirely.

"P. Fritz" wrote in message
...

"Dr. Dr. . R. Name" wrote in message
...
Doug,
It is becoming normal for DUI violators to be charged with murder when a
death is involved. The charge might be murder in the 2nd degree, but
repeat
DUI violators who then have a DUI involving a death are being charged in
the
1st degree. I am aware of one person who received the death penalty for
a
DUI death.

I an not a proponent of the death penalty, but I am glad DUI is not being
aggressively prosecuted.

But, I wish the pursuit would be of the high offenders, the mindset
here(at least in some communities) seems to be to turn it into another
cash
cow for the guvmint.....with overaggressive enforcement at the lower end
( high fines, "community service" counseling,...which drums up more work
for
the 'connected' while the multiple repeat offenders seem to be able to get
away with it time and again. (one of my dock neighbors is a cop on a DUI
unit)

So, bitch to your government slobs about the situation. You may not need the
laws changed. Sometimes, prosecutors have options available that they don't
use unless they feel the public's not happy with their work. Charging
offenders with murder, for instance.