I finally found out what the punishment is in Japan the other day (by being told that is, not by doing it).

There is a no tolerance level, so if the driver has been drinking, the rule is that every person in the car gets fined a sum of around 1,500 pounds, whether they have been drinking or not (I assume adults only).

Plus arrested and lots other things, but I thought the fining of others in the car was an interesting twist that puts some responsibility on people other than the driver too.

I was told that there was a wedding bus with 20 people where the driver was a family member who had a beer or two, and the number of people meant the fine was only 1,000 pounds each, but thats a lot. Might be a shaggy dog story, but very believable here.

Well that's one way to curb the problem...gosh could you imagine if they introduced that over here...there would be uproar...human rights this...huiman rights that...unfair this...squiney...squiney...squiney...mind you the way cab fares are going up a £1,000 fine might be cheaper!

Actually, when I was in the States it seemed that if you were caught, if you were willing to spend the same amount on a lawyer, they would get you off.

So maybe the same result but the money went to someone else.

Doesn't change the everyone-in-the-car thing though. Got to appreciate that.

The judicial system in some countries is very tough. Many moons ago to many to be precise I did a project on the Chinese cultural revolution, and I can remember studying how punishment and judgement was one and the same. Throughout there history the chinese would not just punish the guilty party but the entire family. Some other Eastern countries have the same historical leanings, your example of drink driving in Japan makes me think along these lines.

I don't agree with it mind, but It certainly reduces the likelihood of a repeat offence doesn't it?

Maureen
Northern angel.

So Mo, are you saying that all people with slightly yellow skin and narrow eyes are the same then? :glare:

Reminds me of that sketch from the King of the Hill where an Asian from Laos joins the Texan neighborhood:

Texan: "So, are you Chinese or Japanese?"
Asian: "I'm Laotian"
Texan: "Your from the Ocean?"
Asian: "No, I am from a country called Laos in Indochina, neighboring Vietnam and Cambodia. Our countrymen are called Laotian"
long pause.......
Texan: "So...are you Chinese or Japanese?"