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By Paul Proctor
July 6, 2007
NewsWithViews.com
If it is against the law to drive an automobile under the influence of alcohol, which in most cases amounts to having little more than one or two drinks under your belt, why do establishments that primarily serve adult beverages provide patrons with a place to park their car while they become too intoxicated to drive it?
After all, how many of their customers stop by for just one drink or bring a teetotaler along to drive them home after throwing down a few? Are we to believe that those who have had too much to drink will sit there and sip water or drink coffee for several hours after tying one on until their blood alcohol level returns to normal? At least at a hotel lounge, drinkers can rent a room for the night to sleep it off - but how often do you suppose that really happens?
I have yet to hear of a single bar with a two-drink limit or free cab rides home for every customer who can't pass a breathalyzer test - but then that wouldn't be very profitable or practical, now would it? And frankly, I doubt there are even enough taxis in existence, much less on duty at any given time to fill such a need.
Since it costs several thousand dollars to run a DUI through the legal system for each offence, I am left to wonder if bar parking for patrons is permitted because of all the revenue drunk drivers generate - especially when so many of them are cycled through that system again and again. With so much money to be made, does that mean the injuries, deaths and property damage they cause are considered acceptable?
We've now made it illegal to smoke cigarettes in most public places here in Tennessee because it clearly endangers the health and well-being of non-smokers - but do we still provide smoking sections and ashtrays for everyone who refuses to obey the law? Of course not!
So, why do we allow bar hoppers a convenient place to park their cars so they can get liquored up and hit the road again? I mean, do we really want to stop drunk driving or do we just want their money? Judging from all of the repeat offenders that are still on the street, some with literally dozens of DUIs to their name, I'd say the courts consider them to be more of a cash cow than a bull in a china shop.
� 2007 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved
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Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print.
E-Mail: watchman@usa.com�
I have yet to hear of a single bar with a two-drink limit or free cab rides home for every customer who can't pass a breathalyzer test...
