drunk driving – Adam's Auto Advice

County in Ireland Legalizes Drunk Driving

: SilkTork / Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Lots of advocates and politicians want to put a stop to drunk driving, but in Ireland they are taking a bit of a different approach to drunk driving at least in Kerry County, which is located in the South Western part of the Ireland. Councilman Danny Healy-Rae actually put forward a motion to legalize drunk driving. His reasoning behind this is that in rural areas people don't have an easy way to get to and from their home without using a car. Public transportation isn't easy to use for these people, so it makes sense to let them drive drunk.

“A lot of these people are living in isolated rural areas where there’s no public transport of any kind, and they end up at home looking at the four walls, night in and night out, because they don’t want to take the risk of losing their licence,” said Councilman Danny Healy-Rae. “The pub is invariably the only social outlet left in rural Ireland and they’re getting scarce now – just one or two in every village.”

The current maximum blood-alcohol level is 50mg per 100ml of blood for most drivers and 20mg for learner and professional drivers. Although it varies depending on driver, this is roughly equivalent to less than one pint of beer. The level of fatalities on Irish roads dropped significantly over the past five years with the introduction of lower alcohol limits for drivers and alcohol checkpoints.

The motion passed put forward by Councilman Dan Healey-Rae passed the council vote 5 votes to 3. Healey-Rae understands the opposition and it still requires Government approval. If passed the people of Kerry County would be given special permits to drive drunk. It seems this is an important issue for Healey-Rae. I think we probably know why though.

I guess to a certain degree this makes sense. Living in Baltimore city it is much easier to get around if you are tipsy. Still… legalizing drunk driving? Guinness is my favorite beer so maybe I could just move to Ireland along with a bunch of bros! 🙂

Leave your thoughts and opinions about this below. I am sure people will have a lot to share regarding this story.

*Join Adam’s Auto Advice on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: Journal.ie

Man Straps Four Kids to the Hood of a Car thinking “They would like it!” … WTF?

Just when you thought crazy stories of stupid parents doing stupid things couldn't get any worse, Aaron S. Stefanski has surprised Fort Wayne police (and everyone) by strapping his four children to the hood of his car!

Yes, unfortunately you read that right.

The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne reported that Stefanski, who is 29 years old, was arrested in Fort Wayne, Indiana on Monday night. The police allege he drove out of a liquor store parking lot with his kids attached to the hood of a car secured using a tow strap. The children's ages range from 4, 5, 6 and 7 and it seems Stefanski was under the very wrong impression that they would enjoy.

The journey lasted for only three blocks. Thankfully a US marshal who was in the area saw the ridiculous car with kids strapped to the hood, and had the common sense to pull over Stefanski and call the police.

The kids had been secured, “with one of those straps you crank on a semi to hold down lumber, they were strapped with that thing, wiggling and wobbling down the street,” said Tom Nowak who witnessed the event when he spoke with the Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne.

The newspaper reported that the children were not harmed by the incident. (Thankfully!)

Not surprisingly, Stefanski was driving intoxicated and had a blood alcohol content of .17, which is twice the state of Indiana's legal limit. This was what the Fort Wayne Police Department reported.

He is being charged with driving under the influence and neglect of a dependent. Jessica A. Clark, another passenger in the car with him, is also being charge with child neglect. Clark is also 29 years of age and it is unclear if the two were in a relationship.

Three of the children were Stefanski's, and they are currently being cared for by her mother. She was apparently not aware of the transportation methods used by the children's father, until police called her. One of the children strapped to the car, along with Stefanski's three children, was Clark's.

Some of you might remember the story of Shawndeeia Joann Bowen was charged with three counts of child endangerment who was driving while texting with her toddler in her lap. Also she did not have her other two children properly restrained in a seatbelt or carseat.

As terrible as Bowen's actions were, at least she had her kids INSIDE her car while it was moving. Unlike Stefanski and Clark who though it was ok to strap them to the outside of the car!

Seriously people…WTF?

Safety Scholars voting ends Today!

The Safety Scholars video contest voting ends today. If you have not voted for you favorite video yet, please make sure to do so. Remember you are not just voting for lucky students who will receive a $10,000 and $5,000 college scholarships, you are eligible to win a prize just for voting.

Part of the goal of Safety Scholars is to create messages on driving safety that are, “Coming from another teenager to another teenager.” says Angela Patterson, digital media coordinator, for Bridgestone Americas. I would say this is exactly what the participants in Safety Scholars have accomplished. The videos are creative, thought provoking, and extremely well executed. It was hard for me to choose my favorite among the videos. Watch the videos and please try your best.

To vote visit: http://www.safetyscholarsvideo.com/?/finalists#

Safety Scholars video contest, Voting has begun

The top ten finalists have been chosen in Bridgestone's Safety Scholars video contest. That means you can now vote for your favorite video on driving and vehicle safety.

The videos have been posted on safetyscholars.com. The student whose video receives the most votes will win a $10,000 college scholarship. The second and third place winners receive $5,000 college scholarships. The top ten finalists will also receive a free set of Bridgestone tires for their car.

When you vote for your favorite video you are also eligible to receive a prize. The prizes are a variety of Bridgestone products. Voting ends July 29, so make sure to vote. The grand prize winner and runner-ups will be announced August 1.

There were 1,466 entries submitted by 16- to 21-year-olds across the United States and Canada, up from last year's 1,373 entries. Judges picked the finalists based on how well the videos made viewers think about being more safety-conscious drivers and how effectively and creatively they were able to convey their message.

“The passion and creativity displayed in these videos is so incredible that it makes the judges’ decisions very difficult. Safety Scholars once again proves to be an innovative campaign that empowers young drivers and allows us to demonstrate our commitment to safety behind the wheel.” said Angela Patterson, digital media coordinator, Community and Corporate Relations, for Bridgestone Americas, who also manages the company’s teen driver safety initiatives.

Even more rewarding than the scholarships, the grand prize winners videos might be used as a public service announcement (PSA) on TV stations all across the country. Bridgestone supports these in cooperation with Driver’s Edge, a non-profit hands-on safe driving course that’s available free to 15-to 21-year-olds in US cities during the Summer. The 2010 Safety Scholars PSAs have aired more than 24,000 times on TV and cable stations across the United States.

The videos are all extremely well-done and very creative. I have my own personal favorites, but I won't reveal which ones they are. I will let you decide.

To vote please visit: http://www.safetyscholarsvideo.com/?/finalists#

As well as receiving the scholarships the finalists will also get a free set of Bridgestone tires for their car. The grand prize winners have the chance to have their video used as a public service announcement (PSA) on television stations all across the country. Bridgestone supports these in cooperation with Driver’s Edge, a separate non-profit hands-on safe driving course that’s available free to 15-to 21-year-olds in US cities during the Summer. The 2010 Safety Scholars PSAs have aired more than 24,000 times on TV and cable stations across the United States.