Breathalizer machines to be installed at midwest bars.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the installation of breathalyzer machines in bars in a small town in the Midwest, focusing on the potential impact on DUI rates and local government revenue from fines. Participants explore the implications of this initiative on public safety, law enforcement, and municipal finances.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express enthusiasm for breathalyzer machines as a means to reduce DUI incidents, questioning why such measures were not implemented earlier.
  • Others argue that local governments may face financial challenges if DUI rates decrease, as fines from DUI offenses contribute significantly to municipal revenue.
  • One participant suggests that local governments could shift their focus to other traffic violations, such as cellphone use while driving, to compensate for potential revenue losses from reduced DUI fines.
  • Concerns are raised about the ethical implications of prioritizing revenue generation over public safety and human life.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the overall impact of breathalyzer machines on DUI rates and local government finances, with multiple competing views presented regarding the potential benefits and drawbacks.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss assumptions about the effectiveness of breathalyzer machines in reducing DUI incidents and the financial implications for local governments, but these assumptions remain unresolved.

Kerrie
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http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Midwest/03/19/coin.operated.test.ap/index.html

In this small town, breath testing machines will be installed in the two local bars to ensure customers are not drinking and driving. WHAT A GREAT IDEA! Makes you wonder why no one thought of it till now. Perhaps it will cut down on DUI's? Hopefully...what I wonder is, how do the law enforcement people feel? DUI's bring in huge fees and fines because people most likely will continue to drink and drive...so if breath tests were installed in most bars (which they can't be that expensive, especially if they are mass marketed), would it eventually hurt the local government collecting these fines?
 
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Local municipalities would be happy for all drunk driving (all public drunkenness for that matter) to stop. A speeding ticket might only be for 5-10% of the fine of a dui, but you don't have the court costs, the property damage, the time spent arresting, booking, and incarcerating the offender. If a locality wants to make money off tickets, there is an unending supply of speeders.

Njorl
 
Originally posted by Kerrie
Hopefully...what I wonder is, how ...e me $200 and I'll pretend it never happened.
 
"DUI's bring in huge fees and fines because people most likely will continue to drink and drive...so if breath tests were installed in most bars (which they can't be that expensive, especially if they are mass marketed), would it eventually hurt the local government collecting these fines?"

Hopefully they are all for it and it doesn't become another example of money over values or human life.
 

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