Comments about ‘Waddoups touts laws on drunken driving’

i wonder how long the new DUI law allowing the state to confiscate your car is going to last.

i was under the impression that the state had to pay you when it takes your property.

I wish they would do more to put drivers on drugs on the list. It's time the law enforced the whole law and not just drinking. Drivers and drugs are as bad as drinkers yet no statistics are kept and doubt that there is one case where a driver on drugs has ever been prosecuted in Utah. Drugs is a zero tolerance and part of the DUI laws yet these illegal drivers are given free reign in terrorizm to drive and endanger others. The DUI laws should be fully enforced and stop patronizing drugged drivers.

Still not tough enough. First offense, loss of license for 5 years, one year mandatory in jail and loss of the vehicle to be sold at public auction. Second offense, lose license for life, 5 years mandatory in a Joe Arpaijo type prison tent camp, illegal to own or buy a car on getting out. Third offense, 10 years mandatory in the prison camp, never ride in a private car again... only law enforcement vehicles or public transportation... or walk.
Any accident hurting people or property, the third one applies.
Get tougher on these drunken murderers.

The state has to 'pay' those who are perpetrators of criminal behavior? What? No taxi or designated driver? If we choose to decide to drink over the limit and drive- then we 'get to be' accountable under the laws set to protect the innocent victims, to PAY THE PRICE, and lose the car and priveledge to drive! Lets stop devestating lives ... if we continue to refuse to drink responsibly and our car is confiscated, MAYBE there will be less repeat offenders, less injury and death! Put a PRICE on the loss of a precious life or on debilitating injury- Does money to pay the victims come out of the pockets of those taking such huge risks in other's behalfs! HA in many cases insurance coverage isn't there. Zero tolerance! The State shouldn't pay us for irresponsible choices! Need your car for work? Be Smart about your drinking! Responsibility must take a front seat over rights!!! Underage drinking & drug use at the wheel ought to be a given, I agree with the statements regarding 'drugged' drivers! For those requiring medications that impair driving, public transportation ought to be an option! Illegal drug use? Zero Tolerance- RESPONSIBILITY!

DUI laws have long since passed the point of matching the punishment to the crime. They're now just moral grandstanding (see above comments).

The heretical truth is that most "drunk" driving is still very, very low-risk behavior. Much like marijuana use, the biggest actual risk one is likely to face is prosecution under the draconian laws against it.

I know nobody wants to acknowledge this, but it doesn't make it any less true.

????? Its still a very low risk behavior? What planet are you from. How about the people killed and or injured in Parleys last week. I'm sure it would have been just so draconian to blame the guy because he was drinking and driving. After all its not really his fault that he CHOSE to drink and then follow it up by driving.
It is a very dangerous behavior that people chose to participate in. If you make the choice then you pay the price. The people who are killed or hurt by this behavior have done nothing wrong accept to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I say that the punishment has a long way to go to match the crime!!!

More laws aren't the answer, better public transportation (Why doesn't trax and bus service run til 3 am) more taxi's (ever tried to get a taxi at closing time in downtown) are the answer. And Waddoups is a hypocrite, his wife was hit by a drunk driver at 9 AM long after bars and restaurants were serving drinks and before the liquor store was open. He is a prohibitionist who wants to outlaw all drinking in Utah.

I heartily agree with the comment about DUI laws being draconian and moral grandstanding.

As far as the laws about display of liquor bottles in restaurants it is a First Amendment free speech issue that will overturn that section of the law. The same way restrictions on alcohol advertising were overturned years back. Sorry Utah, but you are being welcomed to the 21st century.

I agree more laws are not the answer. I have never heard of anything liek you can't display liquor bottles in restaurants. If utah parents were more open to there kids and the dangers of drinking I think things would change. Talk to them about the affects of alcohol not that you just should not drink. It is not up to the LDS Church to teach your kids but be parents and do your part. If you think taking a license away for a year to two years is going to stop the problem ith kids it is not. I'm sorry but they got it all wrong.

You are totally wrong. DUI stand for driving under the INFLUENCE. Not driving while DRUNK. The reason you don't see separate drug statistics as they are classified as the SAME thing. You really think cops would pull someone over when the car totally reeks like pot, could tell that they guy is messed up on drugs, and then say, "well, he hasn't been drinking, go on your way?" Whoever told you that driving on drugs isn't a procecuted crime in Utah has no idea what they are talking about.

I should know, I got one for driving on pot 8 years ago. One is not nearly as impared as a drunk, but don't worry, they treated me like I was a some convicted rapist, drew blood for testing, and threw the book at me. Don't you worry.

Scandinavia has very strict DUI laws and they work. They do not work in the US because of the defense attorneys. It's not unusual to hear of people being arrested multiple times for DWI. Make the laws stick and DUI will decrease. Anyone who naively thinks DUI is not serious should spend an evening in a local hospital's emergency dept. Approximately half of auto fatalities involve DUI. There is no excuse for this senseless slaughter.

just like all those BYU students who drink, cuss , act like their in some kind of movie or zone only meant for them ...then when it all comes crashing down ...oh help me...oh moma, oh dada....it aint Zion and if you think so you be lyin!

sound like your on the soup already. LOVE DRUNKS AND HATE MORMONS. GET A LIFE.

gotta a life , just don't want to be no bodies fool!! so stick your nose to the air!! cause your already there!now don't trip!!

Why not just kill the DUI drivers. Just a 50 cent bullet to the head. If we all thought like you, It would be a very scary world indeed.

I agree, laws should be tougher. here in Germany, the limit is .05 and that is in a country that gives alcohol to younger kids. the Polezei has the right to take blood from you by any means necessary. I have a brother with 3 DUI's and I have to say the laws are not tough enough. anyone can get away with it, even when they kill someone. I say lockem in jail, why do we need a trial, they were caught red handed.