I've tried to make this blog as informative as possible. I've also tried to make it pretty fact-based. I've decided to reserve more of my opinions about this whole process for this final section here. I've decided to write these thoughts in bullet-point. They might be a little random and out of order.
- There are lots of states where you can have a drink or two at a bar after work and drive home without getting a DUI. Arizona isn't one of them.
- Buzzed driving is Drunk driving. I know you've seen this on billboards. I've always laughed at that in the past. I've thought, "Silly Arizona, buzzed driving IS NOT drunk driving. I know the difference between buzzed and drunk." Well unfortunately, in the eyes of the law buzzed driving IS indeed drunk driving, in that if you're buzzed- you're getting a DUI.
- The DUI laws have created an industry. They've created opportunities for many businesses to make a lot of money. DUI offenders bring big $$ into the state and jail system. After this there are several other companies that get a piece of the pie: the CHC (home detention), SAGE (alcohol screening and classes), Traffic Survival School, and QuickStart- among others (ignition interlock devices). You can reference my "Out of Pocket Cost" section to see exactly how much money these companies got. With DUI offenders feeding money into the jails and giving jobs to all of these other people who work for the various DUI related companies- one starts to wonder what would happen if there WEREN'T DUI offenders.
- There were certain parts of my punishment that I felt were useful in changing my behaviour of drinking and driving. Other elements were a complete waste and didn't teach me a thing.
Things that made sense:
- Ignition Interlock Device: Yes, it's a total pain, but what better way to stop someone from having a few drinks then driving home? Although it made it impossible to go out and have just one drink then drive home- that was a rather small concession to make. After I got my DUI I vowed I would never drink and drive again and the interlock device helped get me in the habit. In fact, I can say that it helped it become a way of life.
- First 48 hours in Tent City: Tent City sucked. It was hot, boring, and food was terrible. I believe that the first 48 hours (and then the release process) was enough to make me not want to go back.
Things that were totally pointless:
- Home Detention: I think they threw this punishment in there just to annoy the DUI offender, and to wet the beak of the CHC. The "house arrest" portion was just a huge inconvenience (I wasn't allowed to go outside to WATER MY PLANTS- what is that supposed to teach me). Then the whole thing about having to stay sober for 24 days. What is that? If I felt I had a drinking problem and wanted to never drink again I would join AA and be done with it. But the fact is that I don't have a drinking problem. Not drinking for 24 days wasn't hard- it was just annoying. Sometimes I like to have a glass of wine or two after work. For some reason the court finds that unacceptable. So you know what I did the very day I got my ankle bracelet off and turned in my Sobrietor? I went to Total Wine and bought a nice bottle of Malbec and drank the whole thing. Thank you very much Court of Scottsdale.
- Tent City Work Release: Also just a huge inconvenience. It was no worse than the initial 48 hours (in fact, it was easier). But you pay for every day of jail you spend there, so- go figure.
- Alcohol/Substance Abuse Classes: I was assigned to attend two 8-hour substance abuse classes. The classes were over-filled and lead by a jaded substance abuse counselor. If you read my section on the substance abuse classes they go into greater depth. But the lasting impression is that the classes taught me very little and did not dissuade me to drink in any way. It was a fruitless attempt at promoting abstinence.
I think the take home message for me is: Don't drink and drive. Not ever. It is so incredibly not worth it. I know that drinking alcohol can build you up and make you feel good and infallible and all- but it can lead to a giant chunk of unhappiness-MAJORLY. I can say without a doubt that I learned my lesson. If I want to go out and have a good time- I'm all about Uber or Lyft or a cab. So cheap in comparison. SO worth it- so what if you have to pick your car up the next day? It's not about how drunk you were- it's about what cops will peg you as. That's the major difference. People in AZ don't realize that and they need to. So you feel fine to drive- GREAT! But what does the cop that pulls you over for some random malarkey have to say about it? Knowledge is power- don't be dumb.
