The most haunting penalties for drunk drivers in the world
A New Zealand weekly newspaper published the driver's name on its front page, while the offender in Thailand almost had to work in a morgue.
1. Name and shame on the front page of a weekly newspaper
The Mountain Sceneis a weekly newspaper in South Island - a small but thriving tourist town in New Zealand. This place has only 30,000 permanent residents but welcomes up to 2 million tourists from all over the world every year.
One day in June 2017, this weekly published the names of 100 people convicted of drunk driving, and published it on the front page with the purpose of ridiculing one of the most condemnable acts for a driver.
With 60 bars and liquor stores clustered in the small town center, someone not being completely sober is a common problem, especially on weekends. In court proceedings, up to 90% of cases involve drinking, according toThe Guardian.
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In some parts of the world, drivers who violate blood and breath alcohol laws can face much heavier penalties than in others. Photo:The Journal. |
2. Run a 32km marathon
In Türkiye, if caught driving with an alcohol level exceeding the legal limit, drivers are fined depending on the number of violations, from $175 to having their driver's license suspended. In addition, violators are given the "opportunity" to run a marathon by being taken 32 km out of the city and then walking back home under police escort.
3. 6 years in prison
South Africa is tough on those who drive while impaired. Under South African law, a person convicted of drunk driving faces up to six years in prison or a $10,000 fine, and a criminal record (which stays on their record for 10 years).
4. 21 days in jail for drunk driving
A man in his 40s in Norway was jailed for 21 days and fined $20,500 after driving just one meter under the influence of alcohol. “If you drive a car while your blood alcohol level is above the legal limit, you are breaking the law,” a local police officer said.
5. Working in a morgue
In 2017, the Thai government cabinet approved a proposal for new penalties for drivers who violate the law in an effort to reduce the number of traffic accidents caused by drunk driving. Accordingly, these drivers could face one of the world's most terrifying and strange punishments: working in a hospital morgue, according toHuffington PostHowever, this proposal has not yet become official law in the Southeast Asian country.Taiwan is also considering sending alcohol violators to clean morgues, after the punishment of cleaning public toilets proved insufficient as a deterrent.
