of the Day - 01/09/08

[Refugee 7]

PHOENIX – For the first time since it passed in 1995, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has announced plans to invoke the “stupid motorist law” on at least two people who were recently rescued from flooded washes.

Motorist Paul Zalewski was charged with reckless driving after he apparently drove around traffic barricades, then flipped his Hummer last Friday as he tried to cross the then-flooded Creek Canyon Road.

Zalewski and six passengers, including three children, were in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

If prosecuted under the law, Zalewski would have to pay at least $800 for the 55-minute rescue, according to a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

The sheriff’s office is also considering invoking the law against Cave Creek resident Jacqueline Goodspeed.

Officers said Goodspeed was warned last Friday not to enter a flooded wash near 58th Street and Desert Hills Drive.

Goodspeed apparently ignored the warnings and later required assistance getting out of the area.

[Echosoftom 3]

I say it's an excellent idea. These people are idiots. They know it's dangerous and yet they do it anyway. It's costly and it also endangers the lives of these emergency rescue workers.

And while they're at it, they need to add those boneheads that keep going off to the mountains hiking or camping in the middle of a friggin' snowstorm. Don't these people ever watch a weather report? :icon_rolleyes:

[Mary Jane 49 0]

It`s a good idea and we should have that here too

They are a danger not only to themselves but but to everyone else on the road

[agirl 0]

I think it's a great idea. Good for that sheriff's office.

[Flower 0]

Yes it's a great idea.

[WildflowerNJ 136]

I think it is a great idea, too...

[PumpkinBumpkin 1]

I think it is a great idea as well.

[Starfish 0]

Brilliant! The example used in the news story is a perfect example of why the law is needed.

[Dynabeat Tim 0]

Only if the people can have a "stupid politician" rule...or "stupid government worker " rule......

[Wingspan91089 0]

^ lol

it's a good idea!

[Magnolia 171]

YES!!

[LizzieB 0]

I didn't know what it was, but after reading the article, I think it's very fair. If you want to take a chance, you should pay if it doesn't work out.

[KansasPettyFan 1]

I hadn't heard of it but it is a GREAT idea.

[Pankie 0]

Book 'Em, Dano!

[wild1forever 152]

Zalewski and six passengers, including three children, were in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

What a f***ing moron! I think this is an excellent idea.

[surfnburn 5]

^LOL I agree.

[asakitten 13]

I think it is a great idea.

[kira 0]

In most national parks you have to pay for your rescue - especially if you were being stupid.

I like the idea. Not only should they pay for their rescue but they should have to pay hazard pay to those who rescued. Also wear a giant YELLOW "S" for a month and have it affixed to his car so that we all know we are dealing with a stupid driver. Futhermore, some restitution needs to be made to those people in the car whose lives he endangered. It's a button point for me. I say that everyone is free to take his/her own life but when the stupid decision endangers others, be ready to pay the price.

[Refugee 7]

^ LOL!!!

I love that law. I think they should have it on the books in ALL states.

[Athena 7]

I hadn't heard of it, but I'm all for it except.....it can be a very subjective law if not written correctly. There needs to be specifics such as "crossing a barrier" or "going against law enforcement orders". If left too general and open to interpretation it could be misused.

[Pettyjunkie 0]

Sounds like a good idea to me!

[nurktwin 2,143]

i voted "it's a bad law", we already have laws to cover this shit and everything else. quit down sizing law enforcement and let them do their job to enforce the laws we already have. and i don't want to hear there is no money to keep these police officers working. it's all bullshit, i know it and so do you. and i'd love to see how many stupid bills are attached to the bottom of this law that we don't know about if we'd vote it in. everytime the president gets on tv and tells us he's gonna have a tax cut, you know you are screwed. i'm tired of bending over and taking it like a man....lol. did i just say that?? the government helped all of us by deregulating companies like AT&T and made it into smaller regional companys and now you have 15 companies billing you each month for more money. that was a great help to the average family! and now the gov is letting at&t buy them all back!!!! what happened to plan A???? anyway, we don't need anymore laws AND there IS enough money to cover what we have and need. jeez, did roads and bridges just come to your mind?