fisherman wrote:
Mad Moggie wrote:
Then very much where we are going wrong then. Germans and Swiss .. and I think now the French per something we read in "Le Figaro"'s Motoring section a couple of months back.(may be on "discussion agenda ...but we read something suggesting this) . require not only a re-test but some psychometric test and some counselling to correct the "attitude" before granting a licence again to newly qualifieds. They do offer something similar to others banned for drink ... but without the session with a pyschologist/counsellor type .
Courts have the power to order a retest for any endorseable offence. This would normally only be done where there is serious concern about driving ability. In this case its more about a lack of common sense than lack of ability.
There is a further dimension to this case in that he is a VERY inexperienced driver and if no retest is required will be able to just start driving again after his ban. Which would give a court grounds to order a retest.
I would hope that the court offered the drink drive rehabilitation course to this young man. If they did, and if he passes it, he will get a 25% reduction in his ban and will have gained a significant insight into alcohol usage and the dangers of driving too soon after drinking.
So do I hope that he was offered some kind of course at this stage in in his life. Losing the licence in the way he did .. may have had a very sobering shock effect on him.. but I also think he will benefit very much if offered this course as well. May even be able to influence his close peers and pals as well.
We have a young man in our foster care. He's now post 16th birthday.. but opted to pursue some post GCSE studies and a couple of GCSE re-sits. Been with us for almost a year now. He came to us for a couple of reasons.. one being that he had just been released from a young offenders for TWOCcing cars .. under-age drinking.. a dalliance with ecstasy.. and his mother apparently was unable to control him. (Not a single mum.. but a widow in her 30s with younger children. Kid got in with a "bad" set. He has a potentially good decent life ahead of him .. but all kids need firmish guidance. )
On his arrival .. he raided my drinks cabinet. Got almost uncontrollably drunk and .. let's just say.. drunken tantrum and teenage hormones are not for the weak minded. He was actually quite violent.. chucking things around, swearing .. and he took a swing at me and missed ...and then threw up all the consumed booze over me and thankfully passed out at that point. I let him sleep it off. Blamed and cursed myself for not locking the drinks cabinet even though I was aware of the history.. though Wildy says he would have picked the lock anyway.. as this is an antique piece and not exactly hard to unlock without the key.
I have spent the past year .. educating him away from drink and "leisure drugs". Observing him now.. I would say a genuine example of the effect of peer pressures and the British misconception as to "what constitutes a good time" are a serious part of the drink to get drunk culture.
He knows that booze in moderation is OK .. as part of a meal "at table". That getting drunk is not really "pleasure and leisure"... and whilst I refer to my twins in jest as the "terrible twosome"
- they have been extremely supportive in introducing this young man to their pals.. taking him out with them.. supporting him..
I think we are now on a course towards responsibility. He did not receive any "ban or points on a ghost licence" during his past misdemeanours. He turns 17 soon. I think I owe society and this kid proper driving tuition at our expense as a child (ward of court) in our care. His mother is a regular visitor to us .. so he also has his mother's love and support and a now a better relationship with her.. but only after a lot of hard work from all of us to achieve this.
I have to say.. fostering is very rewarding.. gives a real feel good factor for the fosterer and the fostered child .. but you have to work very hard with these children, the authorities and their parents as well.
Why I do it? I simply like people and want to help them and their children as best I can. I know my wife thinks the same. It was a fully joint decision to do this.. and I would actively encourage only those who genuinely love people and children to sign up for what is a hard work ... but very very rewarding hard work.. as the love and respect these kids and their parents have for you.. is very similar to that of your own kids.. and it lasts a lifetime.
But back to the topic.. we are not doing enough to help or educate these kids. I do not doubt the kid in this case is basically a decent lad. Sadly he was not aware of biology or the effect of drink on his young system. We really do need to address this problem and seek to educate to prevent rather than saddle with criminal record and unaffordable insurance premiums for 11 years. .. lesding perhaps to other crimes.
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No sympathy for him! Throw the book, bookcase and the library at people like this. 
... have a tongue which could sandpaper the skirting boards.. tasting like tin or sandpaper.. feel "urrghhhhhhhhhhhhh" and have a serious headache as well - then safe to conclude you are "hung over"