Vesey

I smoked a week or two ago, and I'm wanting to drive to my friend's house right now. I live in Florida.

THE PROBLEM:
The car and insurance is under my dad's name, so he says, "I'm not letting you drive anywhere, because you'll fail the drug test now. You're under the influence as far as cops are concerned! I'll have to pay out the ass if you get in a crash."

Now, I told him they had field sobriety tests to test for DUI, and cops realize that THC in your system does not mean you're under the influence. He still holds his stance because he's always right!

THE QUESTION:
If I were in a crash, could they (for some reason?) test me beyond a field sobriety test? If they found THC, could they even do anything about it? Would my dad be forced to pay the damages?

Please answer!

__________________

codyp

depends on the seriousness of the crash. if you killed someone or injuried someone severely then yes you would defanitely have further tests. and yes if they found thc you could be charged with dui. im not sure if your dad would have to pay tho.

BudSmoker92

I guess you better get to walking lol

__________________

BartSimpson

I'm old enough to be your Dad's dad, and I know bullshit when I read it. Your Dad has a line of bullshit going here because of something else. What is the real reason he doesn't want you to drive the car?

He is inventing something here to keep you from driving, and not knowing the interpersonal dynamics of your relationship, we can't help you.

Your problem is with your father, not the fact that you smoked a little weed last week. Consider asking him to go for a walk mano-y-mano.

__________________

N0TaCRIMINAL

i believe this is the case as well.

however, i'd like to hear if courts can actually use a failed test in order to prove you were under the influence while driving. it just seems like theres too much room for error regarding how long drugs can stay in your body.

Vesey

So basically, finding THC in my blood would not make us have to pay someone's damages, right? Anyway, I'll use the rest of this post to explain the interpersonal relationship. Maybe writing it will help me think straight.

I'm positive his intention is just to stop me from smoking a plant that he thinks will throw my life away.
When he first found out I did it, he said, "I knew it! Your grades have been slipping, and your attitude has been getting worse! No more ganja! If the police find it in your room they'll find me responsible! They'll repo our house and put your baby sister in an orphanage! Do you want that?!" (The latter is obviously ridiculous) But as far as grades, I had only earned one more "C" than usual on that report card (I graduated two weeks ago with a 3.4), and I consider myself one of the most respectful kids I know. I love my 'rents! I have the occasional flare-up in tone of voice, but what teenager doesn't?

If we're doing something together and I zone out, he'll mumble under his breath, "I told you to stop smoking that crap, it'll make you stupid." half-jokingly, half-smartassed... All the while sipping on his beer.

Anyway, back to driving. I reminded him that I'm an extremely safe driver and even if I did get into an accident, I would pay him whatever they would apparently force him to pay. All he had to say is, "How are you going to pay for that? With what job?" (I've started applying for summer jobs but have yet to get one.) He definitely goes out of his way to make me out as lazy. Our neighbor is on vacation and asked me to mow their yard, which I'll gladly do. I've noticed it's been getting long, so it's about time to cut it. However, during our ganja discussion today he mentions that, "I had to mow their lawn! You can't even do what your neighbors ask?!" I am just sitting there thinking, "How can you do MY job without telling me, and then get mad at ME for not doing it?!" Dad doesn't ask me to do much, but when he does I make sure to get the job done. I just hate that he can do the dishes or laundry, and then tell me I'm lazy because I never do it. Pro-tip: You never ask me to do it, dad!

He then threw out the, "My house, my rules. Don't like it? Get a job and move your ass out." Which he's absolutely right about. I just wish he could listen instead of barking over me. He knows there's no way I'm going to be able to pay for the car insurance or an apartment jobless, so denying me my transportation is the only way he can keep control of his teenager. I would put the car insurance in my name (I have about $2k saved in the bank) but I'm sure he would find another freedom to take away, it's not hard.

BartSimpson

This is true. I employ over 70 young men in a pot friendly environment - and the fact is that smoking weed all through High School isn't going to get you on the "A" team. They all have a good time, but know when it is the right time.

You lack focus, and your father is frustrated that you do not understand the reality of life. Maybe you don't. Because paying your own way is your responsibility now, at Graduation (and age 18) you got the pink-slip on your life. 100% you from here on out. If you can't afford a car, ride a bike . . /if you get my drift.

Since you understand this, why are we here?

Listening to exactly what excuse you offered for not being responsible? Learning to shut your mouth is very important to making money. Learning to kiss some ass is how you make the middle money. Big money has it's own rules.

Or motivate you from kicken' back and riding the parent train as long as you can.

Which University were you going to this fall?

Sec

Well, criminal issues aside, if you were in an accident and were found to be positive for illegal substances while driving, the other party could begin CIVIL proceedings. They might argue that the entire accident could have been avoided if you had not been under the influence of an illegal drug. A civil judgement could potentially carry a much higher monetary penalty than any criminal court could. Judgements have been multimillion $$ in the past (depending on circumstances, of course).

Your dad has a point, but I, like Bart, get the feeling that your dad has other reasons for not trusting you. It sounds like he is frustrated. Perhaps it is because he opposes marijuana use, especially in his home, perhaps it is because he caught you in a lie in the past, maybe because he doesn't know how to connect with you, I don't know.

I think a man-to-man serious conversation over breakfast in a Denny's restaurant (for example) might go a long way towards beginning your adult relationship with your father now that you are out of high school.

__________________
Guidelines.
Search
http://www.marijuana.com/drug-test/index

benjammin21

how old are you exactly? maybe i can give you some advice, as im 19 in a few days and just finished up my first year of school away from my parents.

my dad used to be similar back in high school. he never bugged me about smoking, but hed always make me out to be lazy. hed ask me to do shit and 30 minutes when it wasnt done, hed come tell me he already did it and give a sarcastic thanks. i played hockey since i was 6 and all thru hiigh school then i quit my senior year. i was sick of it but my parents gave me so much shit. however i tried my best not to be a dick and i never did anything stupid. i ended up graduating with a 3.4 gpa and went off to college.

now im out of high school and i get to have fun. i left for colorado, from illinois, and being out there is amazing. i can drink whenever, smoke where ever/whenever, i have a lot more freedoms. plus im in the mountains. i go on camping trips with friends, even spent spring break with a ton of my buddies in breckenridge. we got like 3 condos between 15 people and just raged. i have my own money in my own bank account. i can grab lunch with a friend whenever. honestly im really grateful for what my parents have done for me because theyve given me a lot. going to an out of state college is expensive. now i dont have a car, hopefully soon, but trust me do not take a car for granted. its under your parents name so just do what they say. life without a car is very possible, but its not nearly as convenient. dont mess that convenience up right before college.

after your first year of college things will be different with your parents and you wont have them always on your back. i can almost guarantee it. just dont mess up, dont get caught for smoking or drinking because tickets arent cool to pay and your parents are likely to bring you home. life gets better after high school. youll get more freedom, just give it a bit more time.

and if they keep giving you shit about marijuana, write a paper or something and give it to them. show them some educated videos with people like bill maher speaking. maybe it will get them off your back about smokin herb.

__________________
ill be smokin' trees in Belize when they find me....

1956

Is it unreasonable to think that getting a job, buying your own wheels and living in your own apartment might validate your maturity to your dad?