It's 11:40 PM New Year's Eve and this is as good a place to post as any....
Tonight, my niece came in to town see her mom, my sister, from the central coast of California, enroute with her husband and infant son to Phoenix, where they will live for a year. They wanted to go out for the evening, and I rarely drink, so I offered to serve as their designated driver. After we all went out to dinner, I left my car at my sister's and we drove off to their favorite bar and I went on home in my sister's car, expecting a call sometime after midnight to pick them up. I got called shortly after getting home as I was posting in lefty's thread in Spurs section. They didn't like the bar. So, I headed on down to get them, seeing many a car pulled over by the local police on the way. I took them to another bar, but they didn't like that one either, so off to the liquor store for some beer for them and home. I promptly left and headed the 2.5 miles back to my place. I made a quick stop at a mini mart, and saw another cop had a "customer" just down the street. As I was leaving, the officer turned around and followed me. As I was signaling to turn left into my driveway, he got behind me and turned on his red lights.
Turns out, I had a brake light out, or so he says. He took my license and ran a check. No problem, of course. He asked me if I had registration and insurance, but didn't make me get them. I told him I was serving as a designated driver tonight and was done for the evening. He didn't even give me a fix-it ticket. I had told my sister they are probably stopping as many people as they can, looking for drunks. Since he could tell I wasn't, he needed to get back on patrol and look for the real offenders. I didn't mind getting pulled over, the officer is just doing his job.
I know what a drunk driving costs you. In California, it will total around $30,000. Your insurance will be high for another 10 years, it stays on your record that long. The arresting officer has the option of impounding your car for 30 days. Even one day will set you back over $200 for towing and storage. 30 days the impound may exceed the value of the car. If you don't pay it, the impound yard will get le to your vehicle, sell it, and sue you in small claims for the difference if any. Your license will be suspended. Your court fine will run around $3,000, if you pay a lawyer a load to get it down that low for you. Usually, if there is an accident involving a DUI, the drunk is loose and usually unharmed, while the sober and innocent driver often loses his life. I wouldn't want that on my conscience for the rest of my life. If you go to jail, keep in mind that more men are raped in jails and prisons every year than women are in free society. If you have a pretty face, you might last an hour unmolested.
Mr. Barkley: What you did was dumb. You need to apologize to your fans and lecture them on the costs and dangers of drunk driving. You can afford the fines you will pay. You were lucky. It could have been a lot worse for you.
It could also be any of us getting a DUI. If you drink, get a designated driver, have blankets and pillows in your car, or call a cab.
Have a happy and safe New Year everyone.![]()

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is barkley's new home.
