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On 01/04/14 19:04, Martijn Grooten wrote: > > Perhaps it would help if those drivers making the same mistake > (speeding, drunk-driving) but who through circumstances didn't kill or > injure anyone were given the same sentence as those who do. That's more > likely to make people think twice. Indeed, and having driven since age 17, I've probably driven the equivalent of 10 times around the world, and I can't promise it was all as attentive as it could have been (despite very few accidents, all minor, and several of those when my vehicle was stopped). I can't even make the claim it was all sober, as on a particular dramatic occasion I jumped behind the wheel to deal with an emergency realising only after doctors, hospitals and ambulances were dealt with, that I had probably been over the limit at the start of events. This is easily done, I was woken to deal with something and the previous evening's drinking was not the first thing that comes to mind in such circumstances. Greater legal minds than ours have pondered the balance here, and I don't think it is satisfactory. We punish people hard when the outcomes are bad, but rarely when there is no bad outcome, for the same misbehaviour. People make mistakes, other people feel aggrieved, and one can't always tell if someone's mistake is genuine, or reflects choices, leaving aside the question of free will. > (Apologies for continuing this obviously off-topic thread.) Likewise... -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/listfaq