Margot Kaessmann, Germany’s top Protestant cleric was stopped by police after running a red light in Hanover over the weekend for drunk driving. At a press conference, Margot Kaessmann, who was elected only last October as the first woman to head Germany’s Lutheran church, said that she is stepping down as the head of the Lutheran church after she was caught driving with a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit. Her resignation as head of Germany’s Protestants and Hanover’s bishop is effective immediately, but she will remain a pastor in the local Hanover church according to reports.

How it All Began?

Police had stopped the 51-year-old, for running a red light in Hanover on Saturday night. A test showed her blood alcohol level to be 0.154 percent, three times the legal limit for driving in Germany, prosecutors said. Wow! Talk about being irresponsible.

Kaessmann Apologies

“I am shocked at myself for committing such a grievous error,” Kaessmann had told Bild newspaper. “I am aware how dangerous and irresponsible it is to drink and drive. I will accept the legal consequences.” Kaessmann also said in a statement to a televised news conference.”I made a serious mistake that I regret deeply”. But does she really regret what she did or she regret getting caught? How many times have she driven while intoxicated? We only know of this incident because she was caught in the act, but who knows how many times she was irresponsible and put the lives of innocent people in harm’s way. Just think about it for a second, the life she could have put in danger could have been yours of someone you love. But apparently her irresponsible behavior did not matter because the head of Germany’s Lutheran church has won a vote of confidence from fellow leaders as she faces intense scrutiny.

Historic Election Gone South

According to reports, Kaessmann was elected in October 2009 to be the first woman to head the Protestant Church in Germany, an umbrella organization that unites Germany’s 25 million Protestant Christians. She was a controversial choice, because she was divorced. Kaessmann was viewed as a modernizer and a supporter of improving ties with Catholics.
She gained attention recently by calling for a pullout of German troops from Afghanistan, saying there was no such thing as a just war.

The Outcome

Because her blood alcohol level was above 0.11 percent, it is considered a criminal offense in Germany. Kaessmann is likely to face criminal charges including a fine and loss of driving privileges for a year. I’d say this is very lenient considering the damages she could have caused.

But what does the bible say about drinking alcohol? Is Drinking Alcohol a Sin?

Drinking and driving is one of the world’s most dangerous combinations. Some commentators liken drunk driving unto a driving accident just looking for somewhere to occur. As results, administrations of various countries have adapted various measures and rules in an attempt to stem the scourge of drunk driving. Now, these laws are affected by various issues such as culture, religion and the level of drunk driving. As a result, some of the laws adapted will vary from country to another with some even being unbelievable.

United States: The United States have one of the highest rates of drunk driving related accidents and deaths in the world. Each state have their own law based in the severity of the drunk driving cases. However, as a rule, most states will charge a driver once their blood alcohol content exceeds 0.08. Where it becomes unbelievable is when some states reduce this level to 0.05 and even charge drivers for DWI if they are found with open containers in their vehicle. These offenses can lead to jail time, suspension or loss of their license.

Australia:

In Australia, the upper level for blood alcohol content is 0.05. This is reduced to 0.02 for new drivers and individuals who have only a learner’s permit. As usual, punishment for DWI in Australia comes in the form of fines, suspension of license or jail time. When it becomes strange is the law also imposes compulsory medical assessment of drivers before their driver’s license can be reinstated.

In most European countries, drunk driving is punishable by fines, suspension of license or jail time.

France:

In France, DWI offenders get a fine equivalent of $1000, loss or suspension of their license for three years of at least one-year imprisonment.

Norway:

Norway adopts a more stringent approach where drunk drivers are automatically jailed for three weeks at hard labor coupled with a license suspension for one year. If the repeat the offence they repeat the offence, then they lose their license forever.

Russia:

Now many may be surprised that they have laws for DWI in Russia based on Russians long love affair with alcohol. Russia has one of the highest consumption rates of whiskey and vodka worldwide. However, if you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol, you simply lose your driving license for life. Even upon the first offence.

Saudi Arabia:

Other countries have even gone even further in their DWI laws. In Saudi Arabia, DWI offences are punishable by lashes in the public square.
South Africa imposes fine equivalent of $10,000, a ten-year prison sentence or both combined depending on the severity of the case.

Turkey:

In Turkey, DWI offenders are taken twenty miles from their town and then told to walk back while escorted by the police.

El Salvador and Bulgaria:

Countries such as El Salvador and Bulgaria have gone to the extreme in punishing drunk drivers. In El Salvador, first time DWI offenders are carted off and executed by a firing squad. In Bulgaria, at least they are a little more lenient, as DWI offenders are only executed after they have committed their second DWI offence.

California has implemented and formulated certain laws pertaining to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The following information is related to laws and penalties for DWI/DUI in California.

California DWI/DUI Laws

• Any person driving under the influence of alcohol or drug is against the law
• Any person having 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in the blood is not liable to drive
• The state of California forbids driving for any person driving under the influence of any kind of illicit drug or alcohol
• Any person having 0.04% or more by weight of alcohol in the blood cannot drive a commercial vehicle in the state of California

California Secretary of State and Driving Laws

• Section 23152 of CA law says if a person is under the direct or combined influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, they are not permitted to drive in the state.
• If 0.08% of alcohol is found in the blood of a person while doing a chemical test within three hours of driving, that person is not allowed to drive any vehicle
• If a person is participating in a narcotic treatment program, they can drive a vehicle if permitted by the Secretary of State of California

DWI Penalties in California

Penalties for drunk driving are incredibly complex in the state of California. If you have a conviction for driving with a BAC of 0.08% or more within the past ten years, you will bear a minimum jail sentence. Two or three priors within the last ten years will result in felony charges and state prison time. If the blood alcohol content in your body is 0.15% or higher, the state of California imposes a longer sentence. Also, if you refuse the chemical testing, you are subject to an increased jail term as per the administrative suspension for refusal.

Driving in excess of a specified speed or recklessly with a BAC measuring .08% or more leaves you subject to punishable laws. The state of California may impose enhancement of the punishment depending on the seriousness of the situation.

If you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and have a minor passenger under the age of fourteen in the vehicle, California imposes increased penalties for the person.

The state of California also imposes stricter laws in case of injuries or accidents caused by a person driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The existence of property damage or personal injury may trigger to a more serious sentence. Also there are jurisdictions in the state that elevate the offense of personal injury to felony status.