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DVD-Watching Driver Charged with Murder

Posted by michael on from the now-he'll-never-find-out-how-it-ends dept.

joke-boy writes "CNN reports that a driver in Alaska is being charged with second-degree murder for allegedly causing a fatality accident by driving while watching the movie 'Road Trip' in an in-dash DVD player. The driver contends he was just listening to music. Alaska has no laws prohibiting drivers from watching DVDs, although many other states do."

5 of 613 comments (clear)

  1. Keeping Up With Technology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Driving laws have not kept up with technological changes, Weiser said.

    They don't need to, because technology hasn't changed anything. Manslaughter is still manslaughter. Negligence is still negligence. Careless driving is still careless driving. When laws address general principles, ephemeral trends don't make any difference.

    What, is the "keeping up" going to change what is obviously totally irresponsible negligent manslaughter, into murder? That's not keeping up, that's perversion. The crime is manslaughter.

    1. Re:Keeping Up With Technology by jhunsake · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You're only looking at the small picture. There are *many* people that believe that, unless something is expicitly illegal then it is legal. While they are wrong, as you point out, they do happen to sit on juries all the time. Some of these people are so dense that it doesn't matter how much the prosecuter or judge explains the law, unless they can read the "no DVD players in cars" law themselves, they won't convict.

      What really needs to happen is to have a minimum IQ for serving on juries.

  2. Re:This is YRO how? by danheskett · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Read the law sometime. Unless you are familiar with the statues of Alaska, you are probably very wrong.

    In most states, 2nd degree murder can also be qualified when you show "gross and flagrant disregard for human life". Manslaughter usually carries with it the tag of "negligent", "careless", etc.

    What this man is accused of is showing an amazing indifference to others safety while operating a heavy fast machine. He acted with malice ("my DVD-watching enjoyment is more important than your right to avoid being killed in a car crash") towards his fellow citizens.

  3. Re:Make an Example Out of This Guy by StillAnonymous · · Score: 5, Insightful

    While I agree that what he did was wrong, and he should face the consequences, I don't agree with "making an example" out of anyone when it comes to the law. Everyone should be treated fairly and equally, with no exceptions.

  4. Just like drunk driving ... by magicianuk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ... speeding, drug taking, discharging a firearm in a public place, taking a gun on board an airplane, running a red light, driving without insurance, using a false passport, yelling "fire" in a crowded theater etc.

    Part of being a member of society, is that you accept that society places restrictions ("laws") on what is and isn't acceptable behaviour. I have a right to LIFE as well as Liberty (according to the Constitution) and sometimes those contradict.

    Liberty is not selfishness. Liberty is about each person taking personal responsibility, and when enough people show that they can't exercise their freedom and liberty in a safe and sensible manner, then, for the safety and freedom of all, restrictions (I believe) are sensible though regrettable.

    I may feel perfectly safe using a cellphone while driving ... but there are enough idiots out there that feel exactly the same but are not safe (several of whom have nearly hit my car in the last year or two).

    YMMV