A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

I am the winner. I was the last one to show up. I arrived about 2:00 PM Saturday even though I joined the Fiero caravan at 3:00 PM Friday.

I was detained in Schleicher (pronounced slacker) County. Detained as in arrested. Arrested for DWI. They are serious about the new .08 BAC limits.
Coming off IH10 onto Tx Hwy 277 N, going through Eldorado we were gettig sand blasted by a truck in front of us so we went around. I found an opening and was in front leaving town on a long straight so I opened it up. Stopped for doing 89 in a 70.
I had a beer about 3:00 waiting for the caravan and another after gassing up in Junction. I still had it when I was stopped. I guess I should not have and should not have blown into the troopers field meter. I blew a .085. Taken in for further tests I did not blow again because they would not let me contact my attorney first. So I was charged.
What it cost, so far. DWI first offense:
Being cuffed and watching my packed Fiero inventoried (searched).
Worrying about my Fiero being towed and quite possibly ransacked.
Being locked up and the atmosphere of jail. I could go into quite a bit of detail. Ask and I will post or PM and I will respond. Someone might find it usefull.
Missing Round Ruckus opening night.
Waiting 18 hours to get bonded out, 15 to be magistrated.
$150.00 bail bondsman fee.
$142.00 impound fee

Causing my girlfriend who stayed behind to pack (we just bought a house) to waste about a whole day and the expense of having to come bail me out (my cash).
The shame I felt letting all at the Ruckus know why I was late.
A dwi is an automatic 90 day liscense suspension. Since I did not take the breathalizer it increased to 180 days. Most likely need an SR-22 (money) to get my liscense back when eligible and of corse my insurance will go up.
I face at the maximum, six months jail time and a two thousand dollar fine.

I am sure if I had not been speeding I never would have gotten a DWI. The same can be said if I had not even had a beer. I am going to let this post go without my personal opinion and let it just be a public service announcement.
DWI. It is not worth it !!!

Edited for spelling and to correct the town name.

[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 10-11-2004).]

Wish you luck in court ! That's one hell of way to learn a lesson !!! No flame meant by this, personally I wish they had a better way of determining if you're really unfit to drive.

[This message has been edited by California Kid (edited 10-11-2004).]

Cliff, it was honest pleasure meeting you this weekend.

It takes a true enthusiast to go through all that and still make the show. It also takes a big person to admit what happened..., good luck in trying to get all of that put behind you.

When next you and I meet... beer's on me... and we will SIT and pass the time.

Why didn't you take the blood test instead? It's more accurate vs. the breath tester.

Question: if the law is .08 and you blow a .085? man isn't that just .005 over? Was your Fiero messed up after you got it back?

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 10-11-2004).]

None of us here have lived perfect lives-- myself far from it. Cliff's 1st words to me Saturday afternoon were:
"Hey, It was my fault, the trooper was just doing his job. I'm totally responsible for what happened."

Back in my bad old days, before they got tuff on it, I have done much worse, but just never got caught at it. Thank God nothing bad ever came of it. Changed my drinking habits now tho.

Takes a man to admit he was wrong, and it goes a good ways in my book. It was good to meet you Cliff, and hope to see you again soon.
You sure it was Alvarado? ELDORADO is about 40 miles south of San Angelo, just north of Sonora on 277.
Wish I had known exactly what had transpired, I'd have come and got you and the Fiero on a trailer Friday night, if they would have let you loose. I had a buddy with a 3/4 ton Dodge and car hauler standing by in case anyone broke down, and we could have saved your GF a long trip.
I did call your cell ph # that night after I heard you were missing, and got your recorded message;
"You have the right to remain silent........"
Told Jane-'dang, hope he isn't in jail somewhere'.

Sad to say, but I think you screwed yourself by not taking the breathylizer at the station. If you only had 2 beers, it's likely you would have blown less, possibly under .80. But without that, they're going to go with the .85 field test.

I would recommend anyone arrested for DWI ask for a blood test. It's much more accurate and shows your actual blood alcohol level. If you just shotgunned a beer, you're going to read much higher on a breathylizer than you would on a blood test, and that discrepancy can be the difference between getting a DWI and not.

I got pulled over one evening after leaving a bar (go figure). I had 3 or 4 Kamakazis and some wine with dinner, but I still only blew a .45, so he let me go. Sometimes there are advantages to being a big guy. That and the full meal helped, too.

hmm...I was just reading an article about a month ago on cnn.com (I think) about how the inventor of the breathalyser publicly apoligised for it because it is a very flawed and innaccurate test.

But I dont drink really so I dont have to worry about it, plus the cops in my town park in the lots next to bars and wait for people to come out and get in their cars who are wasted. So....If youre gonna drink, designated driver right? Seems like a logical precaution to take. Although drunk people in the back seat might be just as dangerous. *stops rambling*

-sam

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"Naw man, not a Ferrari, it's a Fiero. I don't know, its kinda like a poor mans Ferrari. I dont give a damn about what Kelly's says about its value."
Part of a Phone Conversation with my Auntie, lol

quote Originally posted by cliffw: [QUOTE]Originally posted by madcurl: Why didn't you take the blood test instead? It's more accurate vs. the breath tester. Question: if the law is .08 and you blow a .085? man isn't that just .005 over? Was your Fiero messed up after you got it back?

I was not given a choice for a blood test. I actually thought I could request a video test with the understanding I would still go to jail but at least could use those results in court.
Fiero was fine and all contents were intact.

EDIT
I actually did not refuse a breathalizer. I requested to speak with my attorney before I did. I guess they thought I would be sober before I took a test. I did not know the results of my field breath test until the next morning.

[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 10-11-2004).]

90 days with no licence is good, here in Nova Scotia as soon as you blow over the 0.08 you loose your license for 1 year and get a $950.00 fine. Your insurance goes up and it stays on your record for 5 years.

Sorry for what happened but at least you take responsibility for your actions. Good luck.

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Cliff,

I admire you for being honest with all of us and helping us to learn from your experience. I know it was not fun what you went through and it's not over yet.

From what little experience I have from jury duty I think it's best to refuse the field test if you think you might not pass. You will be detained, (as in arrested), and the automatic license suspension, but it is virtually guaranteed that you won't be prosecuted due to the lack of evidence. In your case it would have been the same inconvenience.

Good luck and I'm glad you decided to come on to the Ruckus anyway. I probably would have just turned around and gone home.

quote Originally posted by California Kid: Wish you luck in court ! That's one hell of way to learn a lesson !!! No flame meant by this, personally I wish they had a better way of determining if you're really unfit to drive.

There IS another way to learn the lesson. Last December I had a personal friend and co-worker killed by a drunk who exited the HOV lane in the wrong direction. He drove directly into my friend's path. My friend was working the night shift and would not normally have been out at 2:30 am. The drunk should not have been in the HOV lane as it is supposed to be closed during non-rush hours.

We MUST start somewhere, learning to NOT drink and drive. I'd say .08 is much better than killing an innocent driver. Opposing views should be taken up with Juan's wife, children and grandchildren.

Well Cilff, you just HAD to get broke in to "the familly"

Good meeting ya! now show us your video!

I was was attacked by the army heli !!

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98 3800SC, Getrag 5sp. only one in Austin Texas !

quote Originally posted by texasfiero: There IS another way to learn the lesson. Last December I had a personal friend and co-worker killed by a drunk who exited the HOV lane in the wrong direction. He drove directly into my friend's path. My friend was working the night shift and would not normally have been out at 2:30 am. The drunk should not have been in the HOV lane as it is supposed to be closed during non-rush hours. We MUST start somewhere, learning to NOT drink and drive. I'd say .08 is much better than killing an innocent driver. Opposing views should be taken up with Juan's wife, children and grandchildren.

I am truely saddened by the loss of your personal friend, your co-worker, and all others who grieve the loss caused by drunk drivers. I can not excuse myself. I was lucky I am just going to have to pay a small price for my mistake. Please do not condemn me.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: I was not given a choice for a blood test. I actually thought I could request a video test with the understanding I would still go to jail but at least could use those results in court. Fiero was fine and all contents were intact. EDIT I actually did not refuse a breathalizer. I requested to speak with my attorney before I did. I guess they thought I would be sober before I took a test. I did not know the results of my field breath test until the next morning.

I guess the law is different in TX? Here in CA drunk drivers show-up in the hospital with hand-cuffs but are allowed to take a blood test from a trained nurse. Most hospitals have on labs so the results are within 1 hr. I guess either the area you were in didn't have a hospital or lab?

Anyway I hope the best. Btw, Were having a West Coast Run this Nov. This should be a eye opener for those who love to drink? Plus we have the cliffs to deal with!

quote Originally posted by texasfiero: There IS another way to learn the lesson.

I learned mine by being hit "head-on" by a drunk (really drunk) driver back in 1985, her speed 25 mph, my speed 50mph on a 50 mph highway. She darted into my lane so fast I couldn't avoid her, to date I've had to have 3 seperate spinal operations, aorta replaced from heart down to both legs with synthetic pipe, and it ain't over yet. That accident taught me that I never want to be the one to screw someone's life up permanently.

So how many beers did you really have?

You say 2. Well not even that. You say one while waiting and then the other one was still with you when you got stopped which I am presuming wasnt' finished yet. but for arguments sake lets say it was empty.

You said teh first one was at about 3 waiting for the caravan and the next was after gassing up in Junction. Just how much time had passed during the waiting and the filling up?

You blew a .085 on 2 beers? I dont buy that at all.

Now lets say that for arguments sake you are totally capable of handling yourself at .085. You were still drinking and driving. And its not like you had a beer and drove off. You were literally drinking WHILE driving. Dude come on man you know thats wrong in itself.

It sucks you got stopped and all but dude you are an adult and should know better.

I am no angel but still.

Hopefully something positive comes from this experience. good luck mang

SH

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JM / SH

I am The Punisher and I approve this message
Opinions are like ‘The Punisher” everyone has one ™
Member of the Redbar Brigade

cliffw,

I sincerely did not intend my post as an attack, flame, or slam. Being a Texan, I'm sure you've seen those small white crosses at street corners and along the highways. Each one of them represents a life taken in an accident with an intoxicated driver. If you get behind the wheel without full control of your faculties you could bend and break a really cool car. That's gettin' of lite. Take care. Stay kewl.

[This message has been edited by texasfiero (edited 10-12-2004).]