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I don't know if Gibson has priors on the record, but he has confessed publicly to having driven drunk before this incident. He was also going something like 87 mph for this one. He clearly has a long term problem, totally apart from his sick rant. On top of this, he had plenty of opportunity to get a cab when people at the bar suggested that, and he can also afford to have himself chauffered around in a limo that waits for him while he gets drunk in bars -- an option not available to most people.

I think he got off obscenely easy -- the idea that he'll be fine to get behind the wheel again 3 months from now is just insane. Obviously he has to kill someone before the courts will do anything to stop him. And yes, appallingly, this is "par for the course", and not just for celebrities.

Remember Patrick Kennedy?

Well a drunk person is thinking correctly so not calling a cab is understandable however I agree that is pretty scary to think that a confessed alcoholic only gets 90 days and no other restrictions?
A huge percentage of automobile accidents are caused by drinking drivers
It doesn't say he has to drop for a alcohol test for a certain period of time either but that may be part of the plea also?

I don't know if Gibson has priors on the record, but he has confessed publicly to having driven drunk before this incident. He was also going something like 87 mph for this one. He clearly has a long term problem, totally apart from his sick rant. On top of this, he had plenty of opportunity to get a cab when people at the bar suggested that, and he can also afford to have himself chauffered around in a limo that waits for him while he gets drunk in bars -- an option not available to most people.

All of that is legally irrelevant. The law does not take into consideration a man's income in determining the sentence to be imposed. Mr. Gibson was treated exactly as you or I would have been treated by the same court. For some a $1300 fine would be a harsh punishment and for someone like Gibson it is like tipping a waitress for a cup of coffee and a donut.

Obviously he has to kill someone before the courts will do anything to stop him. And yes, appallingly, this is "par for the course", and not just for celebrities.

I suspect that he will not be drinking and driving again any time soon. I trust that he now sincerely acknowledges his problem. The eyes of the world will be upon him and for those who were spiritually touched by his movie on the Passion, I suspect that the prayers of millions will be offered on his behalf.

According to polls conducted of DWI, DUI, OUIL convicted offenders, prior to their first offense, they have self-admittedly been intoxicated behind the wheel on average 2000 times.

Another thing to keep in mind, that at any particular moment, at least 10% of the vehicles on the road in any arbitrary city, and on any arbitrary road, can be considered having intoxicated operators at the wheel. This number number can be considered significantly much higher from sundown Friday to Monday morning and on holidays.

During the course of one's driving career, if one wears their seat belt each and every time they drive, the likelihood of being injured at least once is virtually guaranteed.

3/5 of all people are involved in an alcohol related automobile accident at some point in their life (this includes innocent victims too).

Of all infant deaths, 1:200 is an alcohol related traffic fatality.

The ratio of alcohol related crash fatalities to firearm deaths of all kinds: 16:10

Every 33 minutes somebody dies from an alcohol related incident.

Every 3 minutes somebody is injured due to an alcohol related incident.

The number of alcohol related traffic fatalities is equivalent to two fully loaded passenger jets crashing every week.