The solution to (drunk) motorists killing other road users? Opinions/Suggestions:

[Bianchi]

My opinion? Drunk drivers (and rapists and whatnot) (edit: and [rhino] poachers too) should be locked up in a cage and let loose on a game farm where hunters can take potshots at them. But hey, that's just my opinion.

 

Edit: see addendum.

Edited October 8, 2012 by Bianchi

[TNT1]

As I've already mentioned on the 'condolences' thread; maybe the National Cycling Federation / Association could lobby Government on behalf of the cycling community.

 

It would also benefit society at large, i.e; Other road users, pedestrians, people who participate in road running etc.

 

Don't stress, your post has been moved here.

[Ed-Zulu]

The solution to drinking and driving is a mind set change and also a societal view on the transgressor. What I'm I saying?

 

Well this; drunk drivers should be viewed by society in the same light as rapists, murderers or child molesters. It should be a foul thing to do or to consider. Where drinking is a normal activity endulged in by adults in a responsible manner, the right opposite is drinking and driving. It should be started by us , the me's and you's around the braai fires and printers at work. WE the concerned should start the momentum and create the awareness. Then and only then will you start by getting people to think twice about the act and instead consider that if I want to give it horns tonight, perhaps I should take a taxi home, or better still, stay home!

 

It has so many factors to consider, but how many of us has shouted at the drunk leaving the pub with his keys in hand, hey dude, lets call you a taxi?

 

Reminds me of the Think Bike Stickers, even though I cycle i definately do concentrate a bit better on the bikes and bikers on my drive home, albeit 7km's of it!

[Ed-Zulu]

The solution to drinking and driving is a mind set change and also a societal view on the transgressor. What I'm I saying?

 

Well this; drunk drivers should be viewed by society in the same light as rapists, murderers or child molesters. It should be a foul thing to do or to consider. Where drinking is a normal activity endulged in by adults in a responsible manner, the right opposite is drinking and driving. It should be started by us , the me's and you's around the braai fires and printers at work. WE the concerned should start the momentum and create the awareness. Then and only then will you start by getting people to think twice about the act and instead consider that if I want to give it horns tonight, perhaps I should take a taxi home, or better still, stay home!

 

It has so many factors to consider, but how many of us has shouted at the drunk leaving the pub with his keys in hand, hey dude, lets call you a taxi?

 

Reminds me of the Think Bike Stickers, even though I cycle i definately do concentrate a bit better on the bikes and bikers on my drive home, albeit 7km's of it!

Drunk leaving pub with keys in hand

 

Buddies shout at him...'Hey Dude, lets call you a taxi!'

 

Drunk...piss-off my name is Dwayne!

[TNT1]

Ok, some of ya'll might want to check and post your condolences in the other thread again.

 

Leave the anger and stuff here, and just be kind to the surviving family on the other one.

 

Ta.

[gogo@]

Why just drunk drivers killing cyclists? What about drunk dirvers killing motorists and other road users?

My contributions to this thread (great idea to split) have not been about cyclists only. As I said before, why be reactionary?? You can see the problem a mile away and it affects everyone so look at the big picture: drunk driving.

But you can add bad driving, aggression, lawlessness to that too.

[TNT1]

Better?

[CatGirl]

Very sad. Prehaps a percentage of monies we pay in race fees should be used for cases like this to make use of a lawyer to assist the state in ensuring prosecution? What a waste of life.

 

Wag maar... soos ek gese het ek sal my revenge kry die dag as ek prokureur is!

Daai fkrs sal K@K!!!!

[Coolcat]

 

 

Don't stress, your post has been moved here.

 

My apologies; I did not know that you transfered my postings across. Could you delete my last posting.

[gogo@]

Ok, some of ya'll might want to check and post your condolences in the other thread again.

 

Leave the anger and stuff here, and just be kind to the surviving family on the other one.

 

Ta.

Good call to split the thread.

But I really think best way to honor someone killed like Clem was is to do something to solve the problem. So can we try and keep the thread positive (or should I say optimistic?) and not pull other people's suggestions down? Let's hear and think first before we say it won't work? How do we know it's not worth speaking to someone/ trying an approach til we've done it?

[CatGirl]

'n Voorbeeld saak wat ek moes deurgaan van 'n jong ou wat dronk bestuur het en iemand dood gery het het morgue duty gekry as deel van sy punishment!!

[DJR]

Confiscate his car? Is it possible to get a court order (by the deceaseds family) to confiscate the car and keep it in safe custody pending the outcome of the criminal case? Car can then be sold if driver is found guilty and has no other way (insurance or money) to compensate family for killing their breadwinner. A few confiscated cars might just make the habitual drunk drivers think twice. Attach his house as collateral if car is not worth it? The BIG stick approach from private people have never been tried in SA as far as I know. Perhaps worth a try? PPA/CSA can perhaps fund a few test cases for the benefit of all us cyclists?

[Nettie R]

I personally don't have a problem with drinking, thats your right,

 

but the drinking and driving, and they ability to get away with it it's where the problem sits.

 

LAW needs to be enforced properly, but then what chance is there of that if intentional, cold murderers can get a 5 year sentence.

 

The law means nothing without proper application, leading to a proper/scary deterrent, IE, this guy is guilty of manslaughter, which translates into death unintentually. if this happened in the states would easily end in a 20+ yr jail sentence,

 

G

100%

Police aren't properly trained to follow correct procedure to ensure proper prosecution, ie early blood tests and docket handling is compromised by corrupt officers, even intimidating witnessess, soliciting bribes. Lack of police in early hours of morning when these drunkards try to get themselves home. Hands up who has ever seen a patrol car around the suburbs whilst out cycling at 4, 5am over weekends? Instead of hiding behind a wall in the middle of the highway (illegal as pedestrians aren't allowed on freeways), set up a road block in a 1 km radius around clubs and make a difference.

[gogo@]

 

100%

Police aren't properly trained to follow correct procedure to ensure proper prosecution, ie early blood tests.

On this one: is it not possible to set up a system where if a guy is killed you could get someone from the DPP's office to attend the scene to make sure correct procedure is followed? Or a lawyer? Someone suggested funds be raised from races and set aside to deal with protecting cyclists rights as road users... Maybe like this?

My point is, we have no direct control over how the police handle a crime scene, so how do we go about having someone there who knows what they should do and makes sure it happens?

[JGR]

I did a gap year in the states and worked as a waiter. we had to go on various courses about the liability of the bar/waiters if you let someone drunk leave and drive home - bars there cut people off when they get passed a certain point and do not let them drive. There was a case they cited of someone who successfully sued a restaurant after he was involved in an accident. As many have mentioned - drinking is an adult social thing which most people do responsibly but they have to come down hard on drunk driving and make some examples.

[braailegend]

All these suggestions made just prosecute the offender, but wont solve the problem, that wont bring someone back after it happened.

 

Only way is to get decent public transport, its very hard to go out for a few drinks and find your way back without it. Easy for non-drinkers to criticise but a way is needed to get drinkers safety back home without a taxi fee of R400+