The First Thing That Came Up
when I made an internet search for the definition of impaired driving was the following:
The definition of an impaired driver is someone who is driving a car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or has a medical condition, or is texting or talking on a mobile phone. Impaired driving is dangerous both for the driver, other drivers, pedestrians or anyone in the vicinity of the impaired driver.
Last week I was talking to several teenagers who told me they were on their way, by bicycle, to an ice cream stand about two miles away. Two miles is a relatively easy bike ride for these athletic kids but the road to the stand is a treacherous, two lane thoroughfare with a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour, used primarily by commuters and commercial vehicles. There are no sidewalks, and the road's shoulders are sand, wild shrubs or grass, not easily navigated by two wheelers. I suggested to the kids they seek another option. A safer route, a shop with a smaller variety. They were adamant they wanted to make the longer trip.
I was happy when I saw some of the same kids the next day and asked them how the trip went. One girl laughed that she had to yell at a couple of passing cars, but all returned safely. I suggested that one in five of those cars were likely to have an impaired driver at the wheel. I had no empirical data to support my statement but felt comfortable with it, hoping to make an impact on the young minds. I don't know whether it hit home or not.
Recently our Registrar of Motor Vehicles resigned, a result of the incompetence of her and her minions failure to act on a resident's out-of-state DUI. The young offender should have had his license to operate revoked but was legally driving when he lost control of the trailer he was towing and slaughtered seven motorcycle riders. It seems the notification from the state in which the killer was arrested was housed in a suburban Registry office and never acted upon along with a number of similar out of state complaints. A move is now underway to right that wrong. I don't imagine the families of those killed find solace in that.
Last evening, I recalled that approximately 10 years ago a young, promising MLB pitcher was killed, along with two others when broadsided by a grossly intoxicated young man. A few minutes later I learned through the internet that Nick Adenhart's killer, Andrew Thomas Gallo, was convicted of 2nd degree murder and sentenced 51 years to life. The 24 year old will be eligible for parole sometime after his 60th birthday.
Is Gallo's punishment adequate? I can't speak for the families of those killed, but their lives are more permanently, and tragically, impacted. Years from now they will have an opportunity to express their feelings. Is the resignation of the Registrar adequate? Or, are those Registry employees responsible for the "filing" of out-of-state offense records guilt free? I don't think so in either instance. Their failure is an egregious crime. The survivors of those killed in Randolph, New Hampshire, deserve the opportunity to express their feelings now. Today. The driver, I suspect, will be brought to justice, but those whose failure to carry out their duties should also be held accountable.
The definition of an impaired driver is someone who is driving a car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or has a medical condition, or is texting or talking on a mobile phone. Impaired driving is dangerous both for the driver, other drivers, pedestrians or anyone in the vicinity of the impaired driver.
Last week I was talking to several teenagers who told me they were on their way, by bicycle, to an ice cream stand about two miles away. Two miles is a relatively easy bike ride for these athletic kids but the road to the stand is a treacherous, two lane thoroughfare with a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour, used primarily by commuters and commercial vehicles. There are no sidewalks, and the road's shoulders are sand, wild shrubs or grass, not easily navigated by two wheelers. I suggested to the kids they seek another option. A safer route, a shop with a smaller variety. They were adamant they wanted to make the longer trip.
I was happy when I saw some of the same kids the next day and asked them how the trip went. One girl laughed that she had to yell at a couple of passing cars, but all returned safely. I suggested that one in five of those cars were likely to have an impaired driver at the wheel. I had no empirical data to support my statement but felt comfortable with it, hoping to make an impact on the young minds. I don't know whether it hit home or not.
Recently our Registrar of Motor Vehicles resigned, a result of the incompetence of her and her minions failure to act on a resident's out-of-state DUI. The young offender should have had his license to operate revoked but was legally driving when he lost control of the trailer he was towing and slaughtered seven motorcycle riders. It seems the notification from the state in which the killer was arrested was housed in a suburban Registry office and never acted upon along with a number of similar out of state complaints. A move is now underway to right that wrong. I don't imagine the families of those killed find solace in that.
Last evening, I recalled that approximately 10 years ago a young, promising MLB pitcher was killed, along with two others when broadsided by a grossly intoxicated young man. A few minutes later I learned through the internet that Nick Adenhart's killer, Andrew Thomas Gallo, was convicted of 2nd degree murder and sentenced 51 years to life. The 24 year old will be eligible for parole sometime after his 60th birthday.
Is Gallo's punishment adequate? I can't speak for the families of those killed, but their lives are more permanently, and tragically, impacted. Years from now they will have an opportunity to express their feelings. Is the resignation of the Registrar adequate? Or, are those Registry employees responsible for the "filing" of out-of-state offense records guilt free? I don't think so in either instance. Their failure is an egregious crime. The survivors of those killed in Randolph, New Hampshire, deserve the opportunity to express their feelings now. Today. The driver, I suspect, will be brought to justice, but those whose failure to carry out their duties should also be held accountable.
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