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Something has got to be done about them.
Now that I have sobered up from the overwhelming attack of mirth that Fey Hag's post about learning to speak English, had on me, I have got back to the grim thoughts that had been affecting me after I had read on my computer home page, about how an 18 year old lad, who has had previous speeding and alcohol convictions, was picked up driving on a restricted licence, three times over the limit, doing 180 KMs an hour with 6 other occupants in the car as well. This was at 8.30 on Saturday night , on the Northern motorway, which has a speed limit of 100 kms an hour. It couldn't get much worse than that can it? What the hell do you do with people like him? It fills me with despair just thinking about it. Obviously convicting and fining them doesn't act as any deterent, as he has had that previously.
I really think they will have to start taking their cars off them, and also cancelling out their restricted, or full licences as well until they had matured enough to act with some responsibility. I don't suppose it is practical to bung them all in the slammer , they are full now already with all sorts of other mongrels, who have killed and maimed. What if they had to forfeit their licences, and had them cancelled out for a minimum of 5 years, and their cars impounded for that period of time as well. ? I wonder if confiscating their car, wheel clamping them would help to make some of them buck up their ideas? Could that make some of them start to act a bit more responsibly I wonder ? I also think that any other person getting into a car with a driver they know has been drinking, should also be fined. Apart from the obvious risks to themselves, by their actions these passengers are condoning their friend's irresponsible behaviour and or giving him the opportunity to skite and show off. It is just not on. Too many people are at risk here. The laws have to be tightened up to include, taking and yes, even crushing their vehicles if they continue to blatantly not give a damn !
I am writing to the Prime Minister about this. I am heartily sick of hearing about all the wasted lives, and the dreadful, shocking accidents that have been taking place all through the country. It is murder on 4 wheels, and as deadly as a firearm.

It makes me mad too KKKaty. Their licences should be banned for life.

That law about the police confiscating their cars, & trashing them,.... has anyone had that happen yet? Or heard of it?

There is a law against excessively noisy vehicles too, but it gets worse every day..

If their testimonials were clamped for a while, instead of their cars,...maybe the message would get through!

I say,...bring back the Traffic Cops, separate from the police, & let the police tend to other serious crimes.

Go back to the laws of our youth,...they worked for us then, before all these do gooders thought they knew better.

Along with a good dose of respect, of police & people in authority, at home & at school.

This idiot will still be the same, thumbing his nose at society & the common road rules, even in later life

Driving on the road, is not a right, but an earned privilege, by observing the laws..

I totally agree with your post Katy. Everytime I go out in the car somewhere, I see classic displays of irresponsible driving that can cause an accident. Just yesterday I saw a person completely ignore a red no turn signal at a set of traffic lights, and they just drove on through the intersection without even hesitating. Then last week I saw a woman suddenly swerve into the lane next to her without checking to see if any other vehicles were in her path, and she caused another driver to have to swerve into oncoming traffic on the other side of the road just to avoid being hit by her. It's not always the young or the drunk who are dangerous on the road and I see stuff like this almost everyday when I'm out and about.

As well as writing to John Key, you can fill in an online form on the NZ Police website to report any incidents you witness. They send the person a letter about the incident and if it's bad enough, they pay them a visit. The form is found here:
https://forms.police.govt.nz/forms/online-community-roadwatch-report/ 9

I definitely think that for those drivers who are repeat offenders or drive drunk, they should have their cars crushed and have their license revoked for 2 years, longer if they caused an accident. Our government is too soft and dangerous drivers get way too many chances to kill others with their risk taking.

I also think that it was a lot better when there was a separate Traffic Dept. Lucky.
Restricted licence holders are not supposed to carry any passengers. A violation of that law alone is an indication that person is a blatant law breaker and does not give a shit. I think that the licensing process should immediately stop at that point too. No ifs or no buts.
As I have lost someone near & dear to me through a recidivist drunk driver who used the excuse that he was an alcoholic and couldn't help himself, I can only feel anger whenever I hear of yet another case of any offender still having his car and his keys & just making a mockery of the law. That is more than a traffic violation. It has become a premeditated criminal act . They should be locked away for a non parole period of at least 12 months, their car confiscated ,sold to defray the expenses, & they should never be able to hold a drivers licence or register another car in their name again. They know what they are doing is wrong, when they kill someone it is murder as far as I am concerned.

Wow! it is great to see our two newest members participating in this discussion. Thank you ladies for your ( I feel) very valid responses.. yes, and yours too Lucky.
I think far too often we are inclined to be too apathetic about issues which are really important to us all and I agree totally Masquerade, that it is not just the drunk, or the young who are dangerous. The overall standard of driving is pretty poor, and so often the lack of patience and common courtesy, are the cause of many other near accidents. I see it every day as well. I have written to my MP who does happen to be John Key anyway, but I appreciate the link you have just posted for the police forms. I am definitely on the warpath over these issues, and it is my intention to not be so silent about things that I see as being very important to us all. If we all sit back and say nothing this country will just continue to go from bad to worse I am afraid.
I am so sorry that you have lost someone near and dear to you Fran and especially in this so very needless way. It is heartbreaking for the families of these victims , and most of the time they do not even get the satisfaction of seeing a punishment that comes even half way, to meeting the crime - for crime it is - not just an accident, but as you said yourself , a premeditated criminal act indeed.

The standard of driving here in Christchurch is pretty bad. I've seen so many drivers doing stupid and irresponsible things that I wonder the road toll isn't even higher. I have recently returned to driving after quite a few years when I let DH do it all, but now his eyesight isn't so good, I've come back to it and am loving it all over again so I take more notice of what other drivers are doing. I'm appalled at the incompetence of some older drivers and the impetuousness of the younger ones. Some in the middle aren't that wonderful either.

Warren Jenkins got a mere 4 years jail for driving with excess alcohol. It was his 18th drink driving conviction and his 19th comviction for driving while disqualified. 18th and 19th convictions !
He killed Katherine Kennedy of Kerikeri in March. A beautiful young mother, daughter, lover, sister and friend. The only thing that out numbers his conviction totals, are those he has deprived of her, and who will continue to grieve her loss for all time .
He should have got another 20 years on top of that for stealing the valuable life of Katherine who was just driving along going about her business of being a mother .
Where is the justice in a sentence like that for someone who has proved over and over again, that he is just a worthless piece of shit.

This is the one place I agree with the three strikes idea.

Once driving drunk could just mean you are young & stupid.

2nd time proves you are thick & a very slow learner.

3rd time proves you are incapable of learning & should be banned from driving for life.

Break that & you are a potential murderer & should be treated as such, & locked up for life.