A Stitch in Haste

Because I am not willing to condemn zero-tolerance DUI laws (i.e., I do not recognize a right to "just two beers"), I'm occasionally accused of, for lack of a better term, "being soft on being soft on DUI" (i.e., not being sufficiently libertarian in opposing "draconian" DUI laws).

Not so. I just think it's hard to be a hyper-anarcho-libertarian when you're talking about hurling a multi-ton slab of metal down public roads at potentially lethal speeds.

But when you're not talking about hurling a multi-ton slab of metal down public roads at potentially lethal speeds, I'm as indignant as any libertarian:

A teenager was arrested for drink driving when he hopped onto a child's buggy for a prank.

Anthony Ware, 19, [of Wales, U.K.] only drove the yellow electric dune buggy a few yards before it toppled over on top of him. But police were watching his drunken antics and breathalysed him on the spot.

A court heard the buggy is a children's toy, but it is classified as a vehicle because it has an electric motor. Prosecutor Andrew Smith told how police saw the plastic dune buggy zig-zagging down the road at 10.45pm.
...
The buggy — which has a top speed of 18mph — was a £400 Christmas present bought for one of Ware's friend's children.

I mean really now, come on, you can't be serious. Even MADD should oppose this frivolous prosecution.

When it comes to DUI laws It's either about public safety or it's about something else (e.g., collecting fines). And prosecutorial harassment of a teenager over horseplay with a kid's toy is not about public safety. Cut the guy some slack, maybe slap him with a ticket for public intoxication (as opposed to DUI) and cut him loose.

(Via Fark.)