Ok, get this.... we're on a busy main road doing about 30mph. Just before we get through a (green) light at an intersection, this bozo with a red light pops out with his big-a** SUV, hooking right into our lane. He turned so sharp and fast that his right wheels were almost off the pavement and then he over-corrects and nearly jumps the curb. Laid on the horn for a few hundred feet.

What GIVES? He was sitting at the light until we were almost right on top of him.

Why assume that he was drunk? Your description sounds like the kind of driving I contend with on a daily basis.

He weaved quite a bit as we followed... sped up and slowed down like he couldn't make up his mind, either.

Oh, and of course he was 'saving' his turn signal.

People are getting their licenses from Cracker Jacks boxes these days.

There can be other problems he might of had, such as diabetes, etc.

Ah, you've heard my theory about the cost of 12V DC switches, I see.

"Excuse me sir, but I couldn't help but notice that you jumped that red light and began driving erratically. Please step out of your vehicle."

"No, it's okay officer, I have diabetes!"

If you only knew how many illegals are driving in your state, you'd be shocked. My guess is very few if any ever took a driving test. If you haven't been trained properly and if you don't know the rules or can't read English, chances are you might appear to be a drunk driver.

According to NewsMax.com
Forty-seven percent of drivers stopped by police in California have no license, insurance, or registration. Of that 47 percent, 92 percent are illegal aliens.

There was a case of a fellow in diabetic shock who was pulled over for his erratic driving. The Henderson, NV police pulled him from the car and beat the hell out of him. Large lawsuit and the PD settled. Clearly the cops were wrong and now they are trained a little better to understand that all people who appear drunk, may not be. There are other health conditions that can replicate the symptoms.

It is a serious problem. I know years ago diabetics were put in jail, thinking they were drunks. Several died.

Wow. I'm actually very aware of the problems diabetics have, but I wouldn't expect to be encountering them on the road. Why would they let themselves drive, gambling with their own lives and others?

Yep. I had an acquaintance who was badly injured in an auto wreck (not his fault). He recovered, mostly, but was left with minor neurological damage that caused him to slur his speech and (occasionally) drool. He was always being mistaken for a drunk

Have heard of this happening before. Turned out the poor guy was having a stroke......

I thought the "politically correct" way to describe these people was "undocumented immigrants". Sounds like you need sensitivity training . And I heard on the radio the other day that there is a woman on a crusade to eliminate the dreaded "I" word :

http://colorlines.com/droptheiword/

Look back 30 or 40 years ago and just think about how much things have changed. I can't imagine what America will be like in another 30 to 40 years.

If it is under control then driving shouldn't be a problem. However being under control doesn't mean that you are immune to high/low sugar. There are ways your diet can disrupt the balance though. Utah requires a Dr. to sign a waiver before you can get a driver's license for a lot of medical conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure. Other western states don't.

Of course anyone could have a stroke, heart attack, seizure, etc. A scary thought when driving 75 down an interstate

A lot to be said for a horse

OTOH, this area's full of natural born citizens who got their licenses through a program where their parents "tech them to drive" and "certify them as competent".

None of them ever took a driving test either and, the first time I went on the roads round here, I understood why all the stores sell rack upon rack of brown trousers.

You have a ton of iron travelling at 30 mph (or more). That's a deadly weapon! If you are not fit to drive, then stay off the road. If you THINK you may not be fit to drive, get yourself checked out!

If you drink and drive you are saying "I am prepared to take the risk on killing somebody". If you are suffering from any ailment that you know may cause you to lose control of your car (and sorry, but that has includes diabetics), and yet you still drive, then sorry, but you are taking the same risk and should be punished to the full extent of the law.

That goes for the idiots who use their cell phone whilst driving too!

As Gene Hunt might put it, "You say that like it's a bad thing." See also: The Deadlier Weapon, by Larry Niven.


In parts of the US, drunk driving is rampant. I don't know how old you are, but I'm guessing that you're younger than me. I remember when drinking and driving was commonplace in England and I watched as it became increasingly socially unacceptable. Where I live now, it's something towards which a blind eye is turned, unless it provides a convenient pretext...


By whom? Where's your competent authority, when the authorities themselves are suspect? (And probably drunk).

Actually, I'm "glucose-intolerant" (reactive hypoglycemia). I have been informed by my gastroenterologist that I will be held liable if I fail to control my condition effectively.
I'm guessing that your Bozo just had a cell phone issue. It rang, and, in his haste to answer it he almost spilled his drink.

...snip

Hahaha, Life on Mars - gorgeous MkIII Ford Cortina. One of the best TV programs I've seen in years. Ashes to ashes was pretty good too (Audi Quattro in that one).

I'm 50

If the authorities themselves are suspect, then maybe they too should be prosecuted.

I loved the ending of Ashes To Ashes,. It's so rare that everything gets explained.


We're about the same age, then. You're damn right, they should be. But quis custodiet ipsos custodes?