read this. Your state is falling behind!
Posted on 04/23/2008 5:51:35 AM PDT by Fawn
Wisconsin leads the U.S. in drunken driving rates — and Minnesota is not far behind. So says a federal government report released today.
A CLOSER LOOK
It's estimated more than a quarter of Wisconsin's adult drivers drove under the influence in the past year. Rounding out the worst five states — all from the Upper Midwest — were North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.
WHICH STATE WAS THE BEST?
Utah had the lowest incidence of drunken driving. It was the only state where fewer than 10 percent of adult drivers reported driving drunk. Next came West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky and North Carolina — all with rates of less than 11 percent.
WHY SUCH DIFFERENCES?
Cultural and demographic issues probably have a role, said Eric Goplerud, research professor at George Washington University Medical Center. He said:
It’s a liberal utopia. They should’ve got a frontal lobotomy instead of...
I’m not buying that WV has the second soberest drivers next to Utah. I just think they don’t catch all the “mountaineers” in all the hills and hollers that rarely see any police presence.
Report can’t be correct. New Mexico is not in the top 5? Bogus.
“And how do you explain the Dakotas, which are the reddest of red states?”
Turns out my first thought might be only a minor factor, if a factor at all. I think ob1knob is closer to the mark. The dismal weather may be a contributor. And yes, culture is a big part.
Explaining what large numbers of people do is rarely simple.
That’s easy. Here in ND the population is pretty sparse and spread out, so, therefore, there’s quite a distance between bars. Also, we’re sophisticated out here and we study the laws. Most are convinced that you can’t be convicted of driving while drinking as long as you let go of the wheel while taking a sip....LOL
I got popped a couple of times years ago. Since my last name isn’t ‘Kennedy’ I had to pay the fines. I’m just sick to death of the hypocrisy and double standards.
One of the worst kept secrets on Ft. Campbell was a 2 Star General who had multiple DUIs ON POST.
Oh yeah, and then there’s examples like this:
EAN CITY — Mothers Against Drunk Driving praised the Ocean City Police Depart-ment on Thursday for how officers handled the Oct. 29 traffic stop and non-arrest of Delaware State Rep. John C. Atkins.
http://www.delmarvanow.com:80/apps/p...20305/1058/DCP
The MADD hatters also oppose lowering the drinking age to 18, even though at that age U.S. citizens are considered adults in the eyes of the law, can vote, own property, and fight and die for our country.
MADD is a special interest group which receives millions of dollars every year. Their selective outrage and gradual infrigment on the 4th Amendment should have a lot of people worried.
It helps if yer still’s in walkin’ distance too.
I call BS. I’d love to see supporting documentation.
West Virginia? Are you kidding me? All this poll shows is that heavy drinkers tend to lie better than those tortured Swedenborgian souls who inhabit snowy Minnesota and Wisconsin.
You want to see drunk drivers? Check out Massachusetts. Your typical MAsshole visiting our state normally has a BAL that would kill a Republican.
President Reagan on the 55mph Speed Limit: "Towns that used to be a six-pack apart, now take most of a case."
Town Motto of Annapolis MD:
"A drinking town, with a sailing problem."
pong! (hic)
I think you guys are right about the weather, too. But the culture is a huge part of it. I’ve spent a lot of time in these areas. “Roading”, or driving around on back roads with a case of beer, is a major pastime. And there aren’t any taxis in a lot of these areas, so driving home from the bar is pretty standard.
More than lawn tractors, watch out for 4x4 ATVs. Even though the manufacturers of these machines specifically state that they are NOT for use on paved roads, our wonderful legislature in Charleston refuses to ban these unliscensed, uninspected, unregistered and uninsured vehicles from those roads. They are quite a bit faster than lawn tractors and are used extensively by those who have lost DLs for DUI.
Also, it very hard to drive and drink when you don't own a car...
read this. Your state is falling behind!
Are you saying you are for drinking and driving?
“That explains why I don’t like this state or it’s people.....most are redneck barbarians! (I’m sure there are nice ones....but I haven’t met any yet)”
There were some nice ones there. However, on the whole, I must agree with your assessment. That’s why I left there 27 years ago.
The item on cable news this morning cited the report as saying “25% of all drivers have driven under the influence.” I wouldn’t challenge that number, but I would challenge the methodology of how it was obtained. One can get any result they want depending on the phrasing of the questionnaire.
Also, driving drunk while dangerous as hell, does not correlate with the provable statistics. If Wisconsin is #1 in DWI, they can handle their liquor better than 14 other states. In 2005, Wisconsin ranked 15th in DWI related deaths.
www.alcoholalert.com/drunk-driving-statistics-2005.html
Maybe practice does help. :D
THere are less roads and people on them... in Wisconsin than say...NY. So that ranking is misleading.
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