PSA: Don't be as stupid as my mate!

"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
08/12/2014 at 18:18 • Filed to: None

Gather round the fireplace kids, grab some marshmellows. Gramps has a story to tell.

Last year one of my buddies from university graduated as well. He already had a job at Borg Warner, but having a degree and the fact that he now can work full time bumped him up a few paygrades. Given that his wife had graduated a few years earlier and already had a good job, he decided to get himself a little graduation present. They already had two cars they were making payments on, but what the eff? Why not live large? So he got a pre-owned VW CC Diesel with the flappy pedals and this lovely two-tone interiour:

A beautiful car, and he was in love! It was his baby! Not the wisest decision when it comes to finances, as they now had this and a highly specced MK6 Golf they were both under water on the loans on. But hey, who am I to judge? I chose to drive a Japanese car that is now 15 years old, but was mine from day one.

But I am digressing. Did you notice that I am using the past tense? So let's move forward about two months. The night of July the 14th to be precise.

Everybody was watching some guys viciously kick an innocent ball that never did anything to provoke this.

Someone won and my friend was very happy about that, so he celebrated, and then celebrated some more. At some point in this celebration he thought that it would be cool to join in with the usual outdoor celebrations.

There's a blank spot in his memory here. The next thing he remembers is the airbags going off. Looks like he was speeding through some industrial estate, hit a rock that catapulted him into a parked car. He and his passenger were fine, the car was not. Complete write-off. € 30K of some bank's money written off with one stupid decision!

The blood sample showed an alcohol content of 0.18% in his blood. You don't simply achieve this with some good old German beer, there must have been some hard liquor involved.

Of course, with this amount of intoxication, the insurance company can deny any claims. His father in law is a lawyer and he is working hard to soften the blow, but as it stands right now they might be liable for the € 35K of damages on both cars.

Of course, he also lost his license. It's not just suspended. To get it back he will have to go through medical and psychological testing. In a year or two! Unfortunately this is a rigged game in Germany, as the companies involved (the notorious TÜV for example) charge around € 500-1000 for every try. So of course, they have an interest in letting applicants have to do it over and over again.

I only learned about this last weekend when I met them. Right now I am torn between "poor guy" and "effing idiot got what he deserved". He could have killed somebody!

I love to drive, and I love to have a little drink. Right now, I'm having a lovely Italian Pinot Grigio. Grauburgunder is just my kind of grape, but there is no way you could get me to drive my car right now.

The situation is pretty bad for my buddy right now, but maybe we can all learn something from this. When in doubt throttle out get a cab!

DISCUSSION (13)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Klaus Schmoll
08/12/2014 at 18:27

I'm going with effing idiot. I like a good beer or ten, but I would never even consider driving by the time I cracked open the second one. He could definitely have killed someone had they been in the wrong place at the wrong time that day.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Klaus Schmoll
08/12/2014 at 18:35

Jesus. Who could possible think 3 car notes would be a good idea. Drunk driving on top of that makes it even dumber.

Klaus Schmoll > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
08/12/2014 at 18:39

To be fair, he ditched the cheapest one in the staple, so they only had two. With them being DINKs I can almost see a slight resemblance of some reasoning there. Not that this does change anything or something.

mazda616 > Klaus Schmoll
08/12/2014 at 18:46

My father made the same decision your friend did. And that was in July 1991 (I was born in November 1989). He lost his life and his blood alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit. I have no memory of him. So, your friend was indeed an idiot. At least, hopefully, the blessing of living through the accident has taught him a valuable lesson.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Klaus Schmoll
08/12/2014 at 18:48

I remember my first beer...

Desu-San-Desu > Klaus Schmoll
08/12/2014 at 18:50

Klaus Schmoll > mazda616
08/12/2014 at 20:08

I'm sorry to hear that! Having to grow up without knowing your father isn't nice. Good to see that you made it!

And this is exactly why we are so angry with him right now. He is honest and open about it, but it I am somewhat happy that there is a long process in front of him to ever be able to drive a car again. I love him like a brother, but I like the fact that our system will have him see psychologists and the like, blood testing, etc. IF and I say IF he gets his license back, he will be a different guy.

I just don't get it. Why do it in the first place?

Klaus Schmoll > Desu-San-Desu
08/12/2014 at 20:09

Care to elaborate?

Klaus Schmoll > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
08/12/2014 at 20:10

and then what?

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > Klaus Schmoll
08/12/2014 at 20:38

Haha. My buddy always says that when someone is acting ridiculous under the influence of alcohol. Although he usually gets drunk and acts ridiculous himself.

Desu-San-Desu > Klaus Schmoll
08/12/2014 at 21:07

Check the title of the song.

thebigbossyboss > Klaus Schmoll
08/14/2014 at 14:40

Or walk. Walking is also acceptable.

Klaus Schmoll > thebigbossyboss
08/14/2014 at 18:08