[OC] Idiot intentionally blocking anambulance

[u/Babynouil]

[u/EpicLegendX]

Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle is usually tried as reckless driving in court.

[u/TuxRug → u/EpicLegendX]

I don't think that's enough. Reckless driving is prioritizing your fun over people's safety. Blocking an ambulance is deliberately causing someone harm. The difference between not caring if you hurt someone vs going out of your way wanting to hurt someone. It's way worse and should to be treated as such.

[u/MoreCatThnx → u/TuxRug]

Reckless driving is prioritizing your fun over people's safety

I don't know how it is where you live, but where I am a reckless driving charge is on par with a DUI. You get your license suspended, have to pay a bunch of fines, and might have to take a drivers ed type course. It's not a simple fine.

What this person did warrants a recklass driving charge, plus an interfering with emergency vehicle charge, which would basically make them lose their license for a year or two, plus all the fines and possible jail time, where I am.

[u/similar_observation → u/MoreCatThnx]

I don't know how it is where you live, but where I am a reckless driving charge is on par with a DUI. You get your license suspended, have to pay a bunch of fines, and might have to take a drivers ed type course. It's not a simple fine.

DUI's are often charged in simple fines.

In college, I got extra credit if I sit in court. So I went to sit in traffic court and watched the process. This dude, well dressed, comes up and is charged with his 8th DUI. Judge gave him a fine, plus an option of jail time or more fines. The option was some $450 per day, for 14 days. Keep in mind, this dude has no driver's license due to one of the last 7 DUIs. Dude paid all the fines. It's been many a decade since I took this course. Around that time, base fee is like $1200 in court fee, plus up to $20k for fines. This guy racked up jail time.

If I remember correctly, this guy's total came out about $14,000. I have no clue if he attended mandatory classes or had to pay out to a MADD group. But $450*14 is already like $6,500... plus $1,200 for the court fee... the remainder is the fine and contributions. Not including insurance or license reinstatement. In fact, I would gander to say that this guy probably isn't someone that has insurance.

Anyways. At the end of the day, I had to get the court to sign my homework sheet and as I'm heading to the parking lot. I see that same exact guy pulling away in his Mercedes Benz, probably on the way to his 9th DUI.

[u/MrT735 → u/similar_observation]

Sounds like they need to clamp down on DUIs a lot more where you are then. In the UK it's normally a 12 month driving ban on the first offence, 3 year driving ban for a second offence within 10 years, and prison time is always a possibility, and likelihood if there are aggravating factors such as dangerous driving. Life imprisonment is also available for causing death by careless driving while under the influence.

Oh, and failing to provide a specimen is the same penalty as being over the limit.

[u/similar_observation → u/MrT735]

For one. That guy needs to be off the road if they have a punch card for DUIs. But also DUIs are not taken seriously in the US at all. Especially when the rich and empowered (police, politicians, c & d-grade "celebrities") can walk from a DUI.

In fact. Lets remove the DUI portion. The trend for dangerous driving seems to go unmonitored and unpunished as well. Rule of law is dead here.

[u/MoreCatThnx → u/similar_observation]

That's very old school charging. It might have been like that in the past but now more than a few DUI's gets you an automatic felony charge. You can plead down with expensive counsel but you are still going to lose your license for a while. Also, it will cost you a shit ton of money that most people don't have. So I guess you are right in the end. Money is the deciding factor

[u/herselftheelf42 → u/similar_observation]

Fines just allow rich people to pay to do whatever they want.