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Thread: Motor Vehicle Related Crimes

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    Motor Vehicle Related Crimes

    Paul Kloc was killed by an alleged drunk driver. The arrested person's name has not been released. Why? What's being covered up? Are not arrest records public information? Why does this general area not take motor vehicle related crimes seriously? Our highways are a bloodbath. I used to say that you didn't get in trouble for drunk driving until you killed someone. But even if you do, it's not so bad. you can do virtually anything in a car and not get in trouble for it. Drive drunk. Drive sick. Drive distracted. It doesn't matter. That most recent case with the trucker driving 70mph in a 20,000lb truck while shopping on his phone kills a wonderful woman, gets 1-4 years (meaning he's out in a year, maybe). Unbelievable. The DA says it was the family's wish. Bull. The DA's job is to protect society. It doesn't matter what the family thinks. A guy drives when he was clearly un fit, and a highway is ruined just to cover people's butts. The 198 is ridiculous. The guardrail should have been there all along. The conservancy should be sued as well as the city. Architectural integrity. No one can see the guard rail. 30mph is ludicrous, just because some jerk was selfish.

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    With all due respect you do get into trouble for drunk driving. That’s not to say that the politically connected don’t walk away unscathed. I’ve heard of a former state court judge pulled over numerous times and given an escort home. And there was the episode a few years ago in which a former state court judge and others tried to game a dwi charge for someone but they got caught. A recent case in Syracuse was settled on a plea bargain where an accused drunk driver killed 3 people. The DA got a murder indictment but settled for lesser plea with 10 to 30 year sentence. Actually, it does matter to a DA what the family of the victim thinks. Like it or not, a DA is trying a discreet criminal offense, not legislating through prosecution. As for the incident on the 198, that was a legislative reaction to a number of events, not just the last one. While that may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back that camel was carrying a heavy load already. If you think dwi is a walk in the park get behind the wheel loaded and take a conviction and find out what fun it is. And the highways hardly qualify as a blood bath. Oddly enough, accidents due happen. I’m always amused by those who rail about the driving of others and how everyone else is at fault.

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    Quote Originally Posted by grump View Post
    With all due respect you do get into trouble for drunk driving. That’s not to say that the politically connected don’t walk away unscathed. I’ve heard of a former state court judge pulled over numerous times and given an escort home. And there was the episode a few years ago in which a former state court judge and others tried to game a dwi charge for someone but they got caught. A recent case in Syracuse was settled on a plea bargain where an accused drunk driver killed 3 people. The DA got a murder indictment but settled for lesser plea with 10 to 30 year sentence. Actually, it does matter to a DA what the family of the victim thinks. Like it or not, a DA is trying a discreet criminal offense, not legislating through prosecution. As for the incident on the 198, that was a legislative reaction to a number of events, not just the last one. While that may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back that camel was carrying a heavy load already. If you think dwi is a walk in the park get behind the wheel loaded and take a conviction and find out what fun it is. And the highways hardly qualify as a blood bath. Oddly enough, accidents due happen. I’m always amused by those who rail about the driving of others and how everyone else is at fault.
    Well, of course you get into trouble. I've heard getting out of a DWI costs an average of $16,000. That makes it even more unbelievable when you hear of those people with multiples. Since I am strongly against driving with ANY type of impairment, I assure you it is not likely I would "test the system". The obvious problem with the prosecutor factoring in a victim's family wishes is inconsistency. One family might be lenient, another might be vengeful. Factoring that in is arbitrary and unfair to the perpetrator and to society-at-large. The prosecutor can "legislate" (I guess), but only within limits set by the lawmakers. I take issue with the end of your post. I have a hard time assigning the term "accident" to most of these incidents. The scajaquada crash was NOT an accident. The crash on the Thruway with the truck was NOT an accident. Driving drunk is not an Accident. As far as railing about other drivers, I'm comfortable railing against distracted, impaired, careless drivers.

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    The drunk driver was named yesterday. Coincidentally there’s a registered sex offender with the same name and age from West Seneca

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    Getting back to the Scajaquada, I don't drive on it often, but it is crazy to have it as a 30mph road. Is it 30mph from Elmwood up to the 190? I that as soon as people passsed Parkside on their way to the 33, they were not doing 30 anymore. The road is ill conceived. It probably should never have been built, but it was. Over the course of a generation or more, we got accustomed to it. It definitely needed work to make it safer. The lack of a guardrail near the park was criminal. The speed limit probably could have been adjusted. The road itself should have been modernized. But the current solution is nothing more than a smokescreen to avoid liability. Classic case of closing the barn door after the horse is gone.

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    Quote Originally Posted by equinox View Post
    Well, of course you get into trouble. I've heard getting out of a DWI costs an average of $16,000. That makes it even more unbelievable when you hear of those people with multiples. Since I am strongly against driving with ANY type of impairment, I assure you it is not likely I would "test the system". The obvious problem with the prosecutor factoring in a victim's family wishes is inconsistency. One family might be lenient, another might be vengeful. Factoring that in is arbitrary and unfair to the perpetrator and to society-at-large. The prosecutor can "legislate" (I guess), but only within limits set by the lawmakers. I take issue with the end of your post. I have a hard time assigning the term "accident" to most of these incidents. The scajaquada crash was NOT an accident. The crash on the Thruway with the truck was NOT an accident. Driving drunk is not an Accident. As far as railing about other drivers, I'm comfortable railing against distracted, impaired, careless drivers.
    I guess I just don’t understand your position. You say that even if you do get into trouble for a dwi it’s not that bad but you acknowledge that it costs $16k to get it resolved. If you think $16k is not too bad then you’re obviously far better off than I am so allow me to congratulate you. I didnt say any of those things was an accident. All I said was that accidents happen, which they do. DA’s consider the wishes of victims’ families; they don’t let the families make the decisions for them. I understand they also take advice from law enforcement. Should they ignore them too in their zeal to send a message? And congratulations on never being distracted, careless or impaired behind the wheel. You ought to have a safe driving medal named after because you are certainly unique among drivers on this Earth.

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    Quote Originally Posted by grump View Post
    I guess I just don’t understand your position. You say that even if you do get into trouble for a dwi it’s not that bad but you acknowledge that it costs $16k to get it resolved. If you think $16k is not too bad then you’re obviously far better off than I am so allow me to congratulate you. I didnt say any of those things was an accident. All I said was that accidents happen, which they do. DA’s consider the wishes of victims’ families; they don’t let the families make the decisions for them. I understand they also take advice from law enforcement. Should they ignore them too in their zeal to send a message? And congratulations on never being distracted, careless or impaired behind the wheel. You ought to have a safe driving medal named after because you are certainly unique among drivers on this Earth.
    No. I don't think DWI is punished severely enough. $16,000 certainly is a LOT of money. Was simply wondering how anyone could afford five of them.
    What message did the DA send to professional truck drivers who kill the best of the best while operating a fully loaded semi at 70mph as they shop on their cell phone? Dear Lord, I sincerely hope I'm not unique among drivers on this Earth. Do you frequently drive carelessly? Don't you care about everyone else who shares the road with you?

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    Do you honestly believe that truck drivers are going to drive more carelessly because they think that 1 to 4 is going easy on them? Please! I guess you’ve never had the pleasure of a couple years in one of our finer penal institutions. I understand that Danemora can’t be beat in January. That’s why they call it New York’s Siberia. My understanding is that truck drivers as a group take a fair amount of pride in having a safe driving record. Like it or not, society has created a hierarchy of offenses that are measured, in part, by the mental state of the perpetrator. That’s why premeditated murder is treated rather more harshly than, for example, criminally negligent homicide. I don’t know whether I “frequently” drive carelessly...depends on who’s doing the measuring. How do you define “frequently” in this context since you employed the term. And what do you suggest as the appropriate penalty for dwi? Would the loss of a limb or an eye be enough? If so, move to the Middle East. You’ll fit right in. And yes, I care about others on the road...I care enough to watch out for them when they’re behind the wheel.

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    Quote Originally Posted by equinox View Post
    No. I don't think DWI is punished severely enough. $16,000 certainly is a LOT of money. Was simply wondering how anyone could afford five of them.
    What message did the DA send to professional truck drivers who kill the best of the best while operating a fully loaded semi at 70mph as they shop on their cell phone? Dear Lord, I sincerely hope I'm not unique among drivers on this Earth. Do you frequently drive carelessly? Don't you care about everyone else who shares the road with you?
    I noticed I pay more attention when I drive because of the people not paying attention while on cell phones. I see quite a few close calls out my window on Union Road. I get anxiety taking my convertible out because so many people do talk/text while they drive. I don't know how many police text while driving but pay attention and you'll see the occasion police officer chatting away on the cell phone.

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    Quote Originally Posted by WNYresident View Post
    I noticed I pay more attention when I drive because of the people not paying attention while on cell phones. I see quite a few close calls out my window on Union Road. I get anxiety taking my convertible out because so many people do talk/text while they drive. I don't know how many police text while driving but pay attention and you'll see the occasion police officer chatting away on the cell phone.
    One of the times soon after the cell phone law went into effect that I almost got hit by someone on a cell phone it was a buffalo cop in a marked car. Holding the cell in one hand, flailing her other hand in the air anf laughing. Based on the laughing I assume it was a personal call and not dispatch or other work related call.
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    Quote Originally Posted by sharky View Post
    One of the times soon after the cell phone law went into effect that I almost got hit by someone on a cell phone it was a buffalo cop in a marked car. Holding the cell in one hand, flailing her other hand in the air anf laughing. Based on the laughing I assume it was a personal call and not dispatch or other work related call.
    What some people don't realize is that you should set an example with some accountability.

    Don't put laws into effect and then exempt others from that law. Someone said police officers are allowed to use cell phones while driving. I don't know for sure if that means "texting" is also allowed which it shouldn't be.

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    Am I assuming correctly that Mr Kloc failed to yield when exiting a driveway onto Transit Rd?
    I assume this because the other driver didn't receive any accident related charges.

    Georgia L Schlager

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    Quote Originally Posted by gorja View Post
    Am I assuming correctly that Mr Kloc failed to yield when exiting a driveway onto Transit Rd?
    I assume this because the other driver didn't receive any accident related charges.
    I did not hear that. Of course it is entirely possible that it was Mr. Kloc's fault, and the other driver's blood alcohol level had nothing to do with the accident.

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    Quote Originally Posted by equinox View Post
    I did not hear that. Of course it is entirely possible that it was Mr. Kloc's fault, and the other driver's blood alcohol level had nothing to do with the accident.
    The other driver's reflexes and distance judgment wouldn't have been up to par either

    Georgia L Schlager

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