Drunk drivers

RumpleForeskin · Post by **RumpleForeskin** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:08 pm

I can't tell you how many stories I've heard down here in Houston where someone was killed or severely injured in an accident where a drunk driver with NO insurance caused said carnage. I don't have a link, but I heard a commercial on the radio the other day where half....yes I said HALF the drivers in Houston do not have automobile insurance.

I'm venting because a friend of mine from my old work place, her husband lost his leg in a motorcycle accident because a drunk driver decided to stop his car in the middle of the expressway on the down slope of an overpass, put the car in park, and jump in the back seat for a little nap. My friend's husband had no chance. He is lucky he only lost his leg and not his life. Turns out the driver had already served time for another drunk driving accident where he injured another individual some years ago. Guess what, dude had no insurance and the car wasn't even his. He was borrowing it from a cousin and that cousin didn't have coverage on the car either.

Now, my friend's family is scrambling to cover the ongoing expenses to take care of her husband. They held a BBQ benefit on Saturday and are holding another benefit next month just so they can make ends meet. Their insurance is covering most of the cost, but its still a huge bill for the 10% they aren't covered for with all the medical expenses involved. Fucking bullshit.

How do you suppose Houston solves this insurance issue? Harsher laws? Maybe jailtime when someone doesn't have coverage? Maybe sting operations? The only problem with that is the city is struggling with keeping strong numbers with Houston's finest. The baby boomers are retiring left and right, so the city started offering signing bonuses to county Sheriffs if they would transfer over. This city is a fucking mess. Literally, every time I take a drive, there is a 1 in 2 chance if I get in an accident and its not my fault, I will still have to flip the bill for my damages.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:12 pm

What - your friend doesn't drive around with a deployed human airbag, like you?

just getting that out of the way...

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:23 pm

I know that around here, a visit to the hospital will cost you an arm and a leg. Sounds like he got off easy.

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:24 pm

Sorry. I meant to post that with my 1smoothG troll.

Cuda · Post by **Cuda** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:32 pm

TTB, your thoughts?

RumpleForeskin · Post by **RumpleForeskin** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:46 pm

Goober McTuber wrote:I know that around here, a visit to the hospital will cost you an arm and a leg. Sounds like he got off easy.

Either that, or you will be given a second ass-hole.

OCmike · Post by **OCmike** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:50 pm

RumpleForeskin wrote:...her husband lost his leg in a motorcycle accident because a drunk driver decided to stop his car in the middle of the expressway on the down slope of an overpass, put the car in park, and jump in the back seat for a little nap.

I'm sorry, but the visual of some liquored up Texan putting his car in "park" on the fucking FREEWAY, climbing in the back and curling up for a nap is fucking hilarious...well, minus dude losing his leg and all.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:27 pm

RumpleForeskin wrote: How do you suppose Houston solves this insurance issue?

Does the state require proof of insurance in order to license a vehicle? Not that it would solve the problem entirely, but it helps.

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:48 pm

Jsc810 wrote:Hopefully the family has obtained a lawyer. Even without insurance, there may be other assets, such as a house, that may be attached. Perhaps obtain a judgment, and if there is a creative criminal judge, maybe part of the guy's sentence would be to make restitution.

They could get really creative and cut off one of his legs.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:50 pm

War Wagon wrote:
RumpleForeskin wrote: How do you suppose Houston solves this insurance issue?
Does the state require proof of insurance in order to license a vehicle? Not that it would solve the problem entirely, but it helps.

That's what I was going to ask. Here in NY, you have to show proof of insurance just to register your rig and get plates. And they dry fuck you raw of you let your insurance lapse and don't surrender your plates.

A creative person can get around the law for a short while by say, just turning in one plate and claiming the other one lost. But it's a dangerous fucking game that can result in huge fines and a license revocation if you so much as get pulled over for driving with one plate through a checkpoint. And you can't get away with it for too long as your registration and inspection stickers won't stay valid, thereby further increasing your chances of being pulled over.

In short, if you don't want to get reamed in NY, you keep your insurance up.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:53 pm

I don't think you can actually classify this as a "drunk driving" accident.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:02 pm

Texans never saw a governmental function that they didn't want to hightail it away from. Wouldn't want to limit the dude's God-Granted liberty to put it in park and sleep off a soaking. That wouldn't be right.

As for your friend, he just needs to watch out better. He needs to ask for God's help via faith-based institutions.

RumpleForeskin · Post by **RumpleForeskin** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:21 pm

Yes, you must show proof of insurance when registering the vehicle and getting inspected, but I can guarantee you that most of the vehicles with no isurance also have expired tags.

Now that I recall, traffic enforcement units were parking their cars under underpasses and would stand out by the intersection and when a red light hit, they would just stroll down the service road and look at the stickers on the stopped cars to see if they had updated stickers. If not, they would motion you to the u-turn of the underpass and write you a ticket. But now, they don't have the manpower for it, so I haven't seen it in a while.

I think with the drunk driver situation, they need to bring back the check spots like they had in the '80s and early 90's. Again, manpower is the issue here. I say anyone who is pulled over and can't provide proof of insurance needs to have the car towed and impounded and the only way to get it out of hock is to provide proof of insurance.

RumpleForeskin · Post by **RumpleForeskin** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:23 pm

PSUFAN wrote:He needs to ask for God's help via faith-based institutions.

I'm sure their Catholic diocese is going to write a check, but this is actually for a good cause unlike the TPT that uses the church for such donations.

Louis Cyphre · Post by **Louis Cyphre** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:30 pm

RumpleForeskin wrote: How do you suppose Houston solves this insurance issue?

Maybe Hillary or Obama will come up plan that would provide everyone with free car insurance along with their free health care.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:13 pm

RumpleForeskin wrote: the only way to get it out of hock is to provide proof of insurance.

or maybe provide a blow job to Judge Roy Bean.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:29 pm

RumpleForeskin wrote:How do you suppose Houston solves this insurance issue?

Here's an idea. The state collects insurance fees via payroll deductions. That would make life a lot harder for the scofflaws.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:42 pm

mvscal wrote:
BSmack wrote:
RumpleForeskin wrote:How do you suppose Houston solves this insurance issue?
Here's an idea. The state collects insurance fees via payroll deductions. That would make life a lot harder for the scofflaws.
Here's another idea. Go fuck yourself, you whimpering nanny state pantload.

Obviously the joke went over your head. Google Texas state income taxes if you need some help.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:58 pm

Let me give you some Tejan basics, BSmack.

In Texas, insurance is not a method with which you protect yourself and seek/offer redress in the event of an accident/highway drunken snooze situation. Rather, in Texas, insurance is a thing where the simple-minded line up to pay an entrepreneur to fleece them. Similarly, utility commodities, in Texas, are not for providing citizens with energy resources, they are a way for enterprising souls to trade scrip and juggle margins.

Only a fool might believe otherwise - and fools don't last long out on the range.

Headhunter · Post by **Headhunter** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:03 pm

If only you knew as much about Texas as you think you do.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:07 pm

I likes me a shiner bock.

Headhunter · Post by **Headhunter** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:11 pm

If you're in Shiner, you are definitely a lot closer to a range than in Houston.

In Houston, a range is somewhere you practice your aim to keep the Mexicans off your lawn.

.m2 · Post by **.m2** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:29 pm

RumpleForeskin wrote:I can't tell you how many stories I've heard down here in Houston

You don't live in Houston... you fucking twit.

Just felt a little "truth" was needed in this thread.

.m2 · Post by **.m2** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:32 pm

Headhunter wrote:In Houston, a range is somewhere you practice your aim to keep the Mexicans off your lawn.

Are you scared of "grass clippings" too ?

What is it with you suburbanites in the surrounding areas of Houston ?

RumpleForeskin · Post by **RumpleForeskin** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:44 pm

.m2 wrote:[You don't live in Houston

Motherfucker, I live in the Houston area. In fact, I live in between two sections that are know as Houston city limits. I live about two clicks from Lake Houston which is considered city of Houston, dipshit. If you want to split cunt hairs over the issue, then by all means call in a favor to Risa's roast beef fro.

God damn, you are dumber than a box of Pauls.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:49 pm

RumpleForeskin wrote:
.m2 wrote:[You don't live in Houston
Motherfucker, I live in the Houston area. In fact, I live in between two sections that are know as Houston city limits. I live about two clicks from Lake Houston which is considered city of Houston, dipshit.

And you feel that this is something to brag about?

If you had any remaining semblance of self-respect you'd be denying up and down the board that you live anywhere near Houston.

RumpleForeskin · Post by **RumpleForeskin** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:52 pm

Mikey wrote:And you feel that this is something to brag about?

Brag? Check your diction there, Mikey.

Nah, I just don't like it when a fucking tard calls me a liar.

But hey, I won't deny my roots as a second generation Houstonian and a 5th generation Texan. Call my town what you want, but its home for me.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:53 pm

If you live in one of the many surrounding municipalities of a major city, it's common parlance to refer to yourself as being "from" that city. Even if you live outside the city limits, it's likely you work in the city itself.

Hell, I consider Beaumont as being a suburb of Houston.

OCmike · Post by **OCmike** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:09 pm

Relating Houston to Beaumont? That's definitely fightin' words right there to anyone from H-Town.

Damn, that was below the belt.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:11 pm

Who cares where it is, if it's not in the U&L?

OCmike · Post by **OCmike** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:12 pm

Rumps wrote:God damn, you are dumber than a box of Pauls.

How did I miss *that* the first time around? Solid blast, Rumps. RACK it.

.m2 · Post by **.m2** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:18 pm

RumpleForeskin wrote:
.m2 wrote:You don't live in Houston
Motherfucker, I live in the Houston area.

That's nice.

You don't live in Houston.

RumpleLiar wrote:Nah, I just don't like it when a fucking tard calls me a liar.

Then don't lie.

.m2 · Post by **.m2** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:24 pm

OCmike wrote:
Rumps wrote:God damn, you are dumber than a box of Pauls.
How did I miss *that* the first time around? Solid blast, Rumps. RACK it.

What a surprise.... two dipshits that can't find there way around a map.

Hey Mike,

Did you finally figure out that Oakland and Berkeley... aren't on the peninsula???

OCmike · Post by **OCmike** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:36 pm

mtool wrote:What a surprise.... two dipshits that can't find there way around a map.

What a surprise... A guy who lives in SF and loves emo/fem activities like Ren Faires arguing semantics like a chick.

.m2 · Post by **.m2** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:37 pm

War Wagon wrote:If you live in one of the many surrounding municipalities of a major city, it's common parlance to refer to yourself as being "from" that city.

Which would be a lie.

I'm from Kansas City wrote:Hell, I consider Beaumont as being a suburb of Houston.

You get a pass.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:47 am

mvscal wrote: Lived there for five years

What in Gods' name for?

Had to be a military assignment.

Mister Bushice · Post by **Mister Bushice** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:25 am

.m2 wrote:
RumpleForeskin wrote:
.m2 wrote:You don't live in Houston
Motherfucker, I live in the Houston area.
That's nice.

You don't live in Houston.

You're not always at a ren fair, but you'll always be a ren fair faggot.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:53 am

mvscal wrote:
RumpleForeskin wrote:Call my town what you want, but its home for me.
Lived there for five years. It's a shithole. I left.

Visited Houston twice for a total of 5 days. Came to the same conclusion.

Ana Ng · Post by **Ana Ng** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:40 am

PSUFAN wrote:What - your friend doesn't drive around with a deployed human airbag, like you?

Jesus H. Christ.

RadioFan · Post by **RadioFan** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:15 am

War Wagon wrote:Does the state require proof of insurance in order to license a vehicle? Not that it would solve the problem entirely, but it helps.

They require it here, at least theoretically. Not that myself and almost every other sane motorist doesn't also have "uninsured motorist" protection for all the dumbfucks who still don't seem to have it, even though it's required in order to get a vehicle registered and renew tags every year.

Some bitch hit my gf's car last December and sure enough, turns out her insurance information was complete bullshit. Had she not had uninsured motorist, $8K would have been out of her pocket.