USVI-On-Line

Terry, maybe you could ask a police officer?

I think I agree that the Calibrating of the device would require more $$$ each month and it's not probably worth it.

We rarely go out to eat in the evening and do not drink and drive because of our new State rules. Two glasses of wine and you will blow over. Why take the chance.

It was a chance idea...but you are all correct...don't go THERE. Trust me.

Question however...when you are on island and drink and drive, how do you justify it? Laws are a bit different?

Terry wrote:Question however...when you are on island and drink and drive, how do you justify it? Laws are a bit different?

That's a very good question.

Morally, I don't know that being on island makes a difference. If I was responsible for someone getting hurt while I was driving impaired while on island, I would feel just as badly as if it had happened anywhere else.

Practically, there are a some rationalizations that come in to play that allow me some flexibility in the zero tolerance policy I adhere to at home:

Less traffic, slower speed limits, and fewer miles logged on the roads all play into that, as well as the less stringent enforcement that you alluded to. The last one possibly shouldn't be as much of a factor, but let's be honest - the avoidance of the substantial penalties for DUI here at home are a substantial deterrent to doing so. And, for an island with the population and size of St. John it may be a better choice, from an enforcement perspective, to judge DUI on demonstrated driving performance rather than a somewhat arbitrary limit as determined by breathalyzer or the like.

Everyone has their own reasons why they do or don't do something.

Most of my socializing is in my neighborhood, so luckily drinking and driving isn't an issue.

In St. John, cliffs are a pretty good deterrent.

I would say driving on the left is a deterrent for someone that is drunk or even slightly over the limit. Add to that the dark narrow, hilly, curving roads, the animals.

In my mind, that equalizes the stiff laws back here on the mainland.

Just a thought.