I enjoy and appreciate all feedback, even the criticsism( constructive and otherwise), and without knowing someone's personal circumstances and/or what is the personal history of past offenses, it is easy to say that the full weight of legal consequense be levied against him. I HAVE been awakened on several occaisions by L.E. to inquire as to my status, when ive, pulled off the road to knock back the sleepies, and i have no issue with napping on side of road. and the time before last, I had just woke from a 30 min. nap, 22 miles ago, and was 1 mile away from home. It was 3:45 a.m, on the last bit of a county maintained "private road" with no outlet. i was uninjured, and was not cited. Shaken enough to keep in memory that sleep does come quickly, and unexpectedly,when drowsy. This last incident, I knew that I was going to be likely to call it a day earlier than usual, but I wasn't concsiously aware of HOW MUCH mental exhaustion was beginning to affect me. as im sure many of my peers able to relate to, stresses mental and emotional,due to an impending divorce,are apparently (to me atleast were unfamiliar enough) not as obvious as my normal physical tiredness. and having 9 yr. old twins that are my whole world, I was spending my time at home after work, trying to find a real option to the "easy way out". i hadnt been getting a lot of quality rest, and it was friday morning,with the whole weekend ahead off. I was scheduled to be at the Lucky Friday Mine in the Silver Valley to perform sampling and testing for compliance with Superfund cleanup specs. I was planning on calling it a day after that, but I had to AT LEAST make the am schedule. I WAS given a ticket $85 for driving left of center, iknow- not enough, some will say- but the deputies were thankfully willing to "cut me a break" as i have a CLEAN driving record, most have been aquainted with me most of my life and know me to NOT be one with a disregard for public safety,and understanding that there would be no added need to compouind an already taxed financial situation, additionally-nothing would be reinforced by my arrest. OH YEAH...I forgot to mention?? It was less than 1 yr. ago that my former employer was Idaho Transportation Department...I have first hand seen the results of DWI cases, people asleep at the wheel, driver distraction, plain old inattentive and reckless drivers, weather, faulty equipment, name it. The deputies also were aware I was consious of this. that doesnt excuse me from putting myself in that situation. my only statement of clarification (not even to defend) is that if i had been aware of the possibility i would have acted appropriately. anyway, i hope this goes a ways toward alleviating the uninformed opinions or assumptions that i dont appreciate or care about the gravity of the incident and i constantly thank the gods that i was afforded the opportunity to be allowed to continue on the earth, and be permitted to work issues out at home so i can continue to be a positive presence in my childrens lives, and to be a loving husband, and an example to those who would put themselves and others at risk_knowingly or otherwise. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY...FORD TOUGH IS NO ****!!!:mattmoon::notworthy
