As reported by The Tennessean, good intentions turned into controversy recently, when the Tennessee Governor's Highway Safety Office launched an Anti DUI Drink Driving campaign featuring beer coasters emblasoned with phrases intended to play on the well known 'beer goggles' phenomenon.
Slogans highlighting alcohol's ability to make 'girls look hotter' and 'music sound better' were featured, as was its affect upon a person's means to distinguish between a 'marginally good looking girl' and one whom is 'chatty' and 'clingy'.
Local waitress Tiffany Cannon described the coasters as 'anti-feminist', despite the fact that they also included observations on a person's impaired ability to assess risk when approaching the 'large, muscle-bound, skull-tattooed' husband of a married woman.
Sadly, the underlying Anti DUI Drink Driving message was lost in the sea of outrage.
The campaign has since been withdrawn.
Queenslanders charged with DUI Drink Driving, Drug Driving or Fail To Provide Specimen face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 9 months imprisonment and 28 penalty units.
Persons charged with Careless Driving (Drive Without Due Care & Attention) face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 6 months imprisonment and 40 penalty units.
Queenslanders charged with Dangerous Driving, which is a Criminal offence, face a maximum penalty, depending upon the circumstances of aggravation, of 5 years imprisonment, 200 penalty units and a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification.
Persons charged with Disqualified Driving face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 12 months imprisonment and 40 penalty units.
Queenslanders charged with Evade Police a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment, 200 penalty units and a lifetime licence disqualification.
Persons charged with Repeat DUI Drink Driving, Repeat Drug Driving, Repeat Fail To Provide Specimen, or a Repeat combination of these offences, face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 18 months imprisonment and 60 penalty units.
A penalty unit in Queensland is currently worth $113.85.
In addition to the above penalties, anyone who pleads or is found guilty in the Magistrates Court must pay the Offender Levy, which is presently worth $110.90.
Magistrates have a general power to impose up to a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, above and beyond any legislated disqualification ranges.
Wiseman Lawyers specialise in DUI Drink Driving, Drug Driving, Careless & Dangerous Driving, Evade Police and Drug, Alcohol & Traffic offences.