Quote:
Originally Posted by AlphaFrog
I was hoping you weren't promoting drunk driving as "not a big deal".  |
I don't drive drunk, nor do I condone it. However, I don't have a problem with people who are less than drunk being given an ultimatum/last chance. I say this because I highly doubt people who are visibly intoxicated are given this choice, but rather those who are probably near or slightly above the legal limit. Driving under some influence in college is incredibly common. It is unfortunate, but I respect the police giving some latitude to students they don't find to be a threat.
I'm not sure it lends itself towards continued misdeeds, as most people would not want to test their luck by continuing such conduct. Also, it isn't a major metropolitan area, such students could very likely encounter those police again.
I like police officers who recognize that arrests can destroy lives. I realize it is a difficult line to draw, but I respect the effort and recognition of the seriousness of an arrest. Many officers, especially in smaller areas, view getting arrested as a rite of passage rather than a life/career-altering event. To them it is just another fine, while that student (who may or may not have been endangering himself or others) may watch medical school or law school slip away.