Redskins new defensive tackle and all-around great guy Albert Haynesworth pleaded no contest to reckless driving charges.
Back in December, Haynesworth’s speeding and careless driving led a 25-year old driver to crash into the concrete median, seriously injuring him. So what does he get for endangering others and potentially killing them?
He now has to perform 25 hours of community service (gasp!!), make a $5,000 charitable contribution (it’ll ruin him!) and attend driving school (say it ain’t so!).
Wow.
Little quick side note: How much media attention has the Swine Flu gotten? I just saw on the BBC website that their death total was up to 14. I think it’s much less in the U.S. Must be a big deal, right? Ok, well how many people die in auto “accidents” every year? The numbers aren’t even comparable. And I put the word “accidents” in parenthesis for a reason. I believe there are truly very few “accidents.” They are usually directly related to someone driving in the manner in which Haynesworth was driving (and that includes DUI’s. If you are driving drunk you are most likely driving like a horse’s rear end. At the very least, you aren’t prepared to react to someone else driving like said horse’s backside.)
So my point is, how can such potentially dangerous behavior come with such a featherweight sentence? This is ridiculous. And I blame the laws more than anything else. I’m sure what Haynesworth got was somewhere in the realm of what most get for similar infractions.
And the best part is that these charges came at a time when he was on probation. Violation of his probation, right? Nope, the police didn’t realize it until after the probation was over. No worries, Albert.
Anyone in D.C. afraid to drive in the area now? I might be. At least the Nashville locals don’t have to worry anymore. Have fun with Albert and safe driving!
