Dear Abby: DUI and jail

[cereta]

DEAR ABBY: I am normally a law-abiding citizen. I was pulled over a half-block away from picking up my son and charged with DUI.

I don't dispute the facts, but I didn't injure anyone. I had taken prescription meds (the meds did have warnings) in addition to having drunk three beers two hours earlier. I hurt myself and my son, because he needed me to pick him up. I didn't put anyone else in jeopardy. No one was physically hurt.

I did not contest that I should lose my license for a year, but I do contest jail time. I feel if they are going to put me in jail, they should have put away the men who rear-ended my sister and niece and caused them lasting injuries.

I don't deny my guilt. I suggest only that I am less guilty than others. Abby, what do you think? -- PULLED OVER SOMEWHERE IN THE USA

DEAR PULLED OVER: I think you are just as guilty as the individuals you mentioned, but because of pure luck you didn't cause anyone physical harm. What you did was irresponsible because it could have placed your son in jeopardy. Pointing at "the ones who got away" is a waste of time.

This unfortunate incident should serve as a reminder about the importance of reading the labels and following the directions on medications, and paying attention to the problems that can occur when they are mixed with alcohol.

Comments

Re: bad analogy

[redbird]

My hunch is that while it may be LW's first arrest for DUI, it probably wasn't their* first time drinking and driving; people who will do that tend to think "oh, it's harmless" and "I didn't get in an accident the last three times, so I'll be okay this time." If the LW knew ahead of time that they were going to need to pick up the child, the three beers two hours before driving were a bad idea even without the prescription meds. And given the "it's not my fault" tone of the letter, I'm fairly sure they would have mentioned something like "unexpectedly had to pick up my son because my wife was stuck at work."

*Nothing in the letter states gender.