Views on 'drink' driving?
Discussion
This is a mine-field. If you or one of your loved ones were hit by some driver who'd had a few you'd probably want them strung up by their nether regions from the closest flagpole. I'm certainly not going to get holier than thou because in reality some people can handle their drink better than other. If I give my Mrs Rev3rend one (ahem) glass of wine and she's all over the place.
It's not that drinking on it's own is enough to make driving deteriorate (heaven knows I've seen my fair share of shocking sober driving from people on the roads), but it has to be a factor.
Personally, I like my driving an awful lot more than drinking so I'm happy to put that second. I appreciate it's not always so easier for others though.
It's not that drinking on it's own is enough to make driving deteriorate (heaven knows I've seen my fair share of shocking sober driving from people on the roads), but it has to be a factor.
Personally, I like my driving an awful lot more than drinking so I'm happy to put that second. I appreciate it's not always so easier for others though.
It is not all about safety, or even ability to drive whilst slightly intoxicated. In terms of risk to lifestyle it just isn't worth it. I've seen research that suggests that most people still perceive that you can have a 'couple or three' pints and still be ok. In fact, you are likely to be over the limit and if you are caught, whether through an incident caused by your driving or someone else's, you are up the creek.
Loss of licence, potential loss of employment and arse raping insurance for the next ten years are all in the pipeline, as well as the massive pain in the arse or relying on cabs, public transport or people you know for lifts. Then there's the social stigma, which will hang over you even longer than the insurance issues.
Now I believe that my driving, after a couple of pints, would probably be on par with other, more sober drivers who generally pay less attention to their environment. A lot of people who are 'into' driving probably feel the same. Try getting the Magistrates to buy that though!
Loss of licence, potential loss of employment and arse raping insurance for the next ten years are all in the pipeline, as well as the massive pain in the arse or relying on cabs, public transport or people you know for lifts. Then there's the social stigma, which will hang over you even longer than the insurance issues.
Now I believe that my driving, after a couple of pints, would probably be on par with other, more sober drivers who generally pay less attention to their environment. A lot of people who are 'into' driving probably feel the same. Try getting the Magistrates to buy that though!
I think the problem is with inexperienced drivers + alcohol = accidents waiting to happen.
I can shamefully say that I've had some luck in the beginning, only gotten "wiser" a couple of years ago (I'm 25 now).
I still drink a couple and then drive but:
1) I don't drive like a f*cking yobo anymore
2) Never when I have passengers, because the could make me drive like a yobo/I could hurt them and have to live with the guilt
3)I know when to stop drinking beer and start drinking water/coke, usually more than an hour before I go home
Keeping to those rules, I can honestly say I've never been in a dangerous situation in the last years.
I'm gonna get shot on ph for this, but most of your parents didn't die because of drink driving.
And they never heard of "sober driving" in their days :P
I can shamefully say that I've had some luck in the beginning, only gotten "wiser" a couple of years ago (I'm 25 now).
I still drink a couple and then drive but:
1) I don't drive like a f*cking yobo anymore
2) Never when I have passengers, because the could make me drive like a yobo/I could hurt them and have to live with the guilt
3)I know when to stop drinking beer and start drinking water/coke, usually more than an hour before I go home
Keeping to those rules, I can honestly say I've never been in a dangerous situation in the last years.
I'm gonna get shot on ph for this, but most of your parents didn't die because of drink driving.
And they never heard of "sober driving" in their days :P
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Wel, I can kind of relate to that. But to me it's like the speed limits: some are rediculous on some roads, until you get to a corner that you can't take a the speed limit, which means people have to adapt their speeds and use some common sense to drive the right speed.I'm sure a couple of people can relate to that?
I've hardly ever been "sick" after I go out (matter of knowing your limit, have little respect for people who go out every week and come home to put their head in the toilet), even tough I often drink +10 pints of beer (I don't drive then anymore, of course!). But I feel I have no problem of "being myself" and my reactions when having had 4 pints.
That said, more than once when the missus goes out with me, she drives (as she doesn't drink), and when we come home we switch seats to park the car
.Depending on the day (more often than not) I can be a total lightweight, so I make my decision before I leave the house whether I drink or drive.
Tbh I'm not bothered if I don't drink at all - just means I have more cash to spend on a better car/petrol etc.
Re. ending up as the taxi every time we go out. Again I don't mind but my mates are well aware that if they want a lift they are likely to have to leave earlier than they want as I won't have the energy/desire to stay out until the early hours. This is also the time when the roads are least busy so driving can be a little more enjoyable.
Tbh I'm not bothered if I don't drink at all - just means I have more cash to spend on a better car/petrol etc.
Re. ending up as the taxi every time we go out. Again I don't mind but my mates are well aware that if they want a lift they are likely to have to leave earlier than they want as I won't have the energy/desire to stay out until the early hours. This is also the time when the roads are least busy so driving can be a little more enjoyable.
My own opinion of it is that it's harmless until you crash. For myself I wouldn't go out on the piss and then drive home drunk, because I don't trust myself to drive a car, endangering myself and others, with a belly full of alchohol. On the other hand I think a couple of pints at lunch time is perfectly manageable without having an adverse affect on your ability to drive.
I would like to see a test based more on whether or not you are actually drunk to a point that is impairing your ability to control a car, rather than a fairly arbitary number on a breathalyser. In reality though that would just be too difficult to enforce and administer.
In the UK I would never do it, simply because I value my licence too much, and there are too many horror stories of people who have a pint at lunch time and get breathalysed on the way home from work, or people who get breathalysed the morning after a few drinks, and end up losing their licence.
Here (Thailand) it's a bit different and unless you do something really stupid in a busy area then you're very unlikely to have a problem. I still don't go out on the lash and drive around, but I am a bit more relaxed about a quiet beer or two knowing I will drive or ride my motorbike later in the day.
Of course as with all laws, if everyone was sensible like me we wouldn't need them...
I would like to see a test based more on whether or not you are actually drunk to a point that is impairing your ability to control a car, rather than a fairly arbitary number on a breathalyser. In reality though that would just be too difficult to enforce and administer.
In the UK I would never do it, simply because I value my licence too much, and there are too many horror stories of people who have a pint at lunch time and get breathalysed on the way home from work, or people who get breathalysed the morning after a few drinks, and end up losing their licence.
Here (Thailand) it's a bit different and unless you do something really stupid in a busy area then you're very unlikely to have a problem. I still don't go out on the lash and drive around, but I am a bit more relaxed about a quiet beer or two knowing I will drive or ride my motorbike later in the day.
Of course as with all laws, if everyone was sensible like me we wouldn't need them...
If I'm driving I won't drink at all. I just don't think it's worth it for the risks that you run. Plus as I have no way of testing if I'm over or under the limit by not drinking it's the only way that I know 100% that I'll be fine.
The morning after I won't drive for at least 12 hours once I've woken up, ideally I won't be in a position to have to drive.
The morning after I won't drive for at least 12 hours once I've woken up, ideally I won't be in a position to have to drive.
One the one hand, drinking almost any amount does have an effect on your reactions and your judgement. On the other hand, so do a million and one other things which don't stop people from driving at all.
For example, I'd far rather drive after three pints of beer (which puts me just over the limit) than after having only got five hours sleep the night before. I'm probably even safer after three pints of beer than after a particularly hard day at work when my mind is more on my job than on my driving...
So yes drink driving is bad, but no-where near as bad as the propaganda shoved down our throats for the last twenty years would have you believe, IMO.
For example, I'd far rather drive after three pints of beer (which puts me just over the limit) than after having only got five hours sleep the night before. I'm probably even safer after three pints of beer than after a particularly hard day at work when my mind is more on my job than on my driving...
So yes drink driving is bad, but no-where near as bad as the propaganda shoved down our throats for the last twenty years would have you believe, IMO.
Edited by kambites on Monday 7th June 08:12
DangerousMike said:
I am of the view that I do everything I can to make sure I am a good/safe driver, so why willingly impair my ability and increase my risk of an accident? If I am driving, I don't drink anything.
It's been "fine" for years, do you smoke/drink coffee? What if they "discover" that nicotine/tar/cafeine/sugar has an adverse effect on your driving (how small it may be...)?I think it's better to have a "sensible" approach than to have a zero tollerance.
But as you pointed out, if that means for you "don't drink anything", it's ok, just be aware that there are people who are hardly influenced by a couple of pints.
rottie102 said:
ZesPak said:
2) Never when I have passengers, because the could make me drive like a yobo/I could hurt them and have to live with the guilt
That's great. So no guilt worries that you'll crash into a family in another car while driving on your own because you don't know them?But I see your point. I couldn't live with the guilt (the big "what if"). I'm actually quite sure I'm a more cautious driver when I had 2 pints (because, whatever happens -> it's your fault).
Same applies to speeding for me actually, I drive safe (never had an accident in fault) but like to pick up some speed. I tend to speed less when carrying passengers, and I know a lot of people that do the same.
My brother was 2 when crushed against a brick wall & killed by somebody who was DD.
The driver fled the scene & was not caught until a few days later but by then, the alcohol had gone from his system. How the police new that he had been drinking was because a few people from the pub had seen him downing quit a few pints. He was not sent to prison, he only recieved a ban & heavy fine. I have to admit that i done something in 2000 that will haunt me forever! I took the blame for my so called mate who was driving my car because i was drunk. He decided to steel something from the petrol station, hence they got my7 number plate & knocked on my door a few hours later. I panicked i told them i was driving & was instantly breathalysed & arrested. I was charged with a DR10 & banned for 18 months. You can imagine my families horror until i told them that i took the blame to save my friend any hasstle ( he was a single parent with 5 month old daughter & depended on his car ) & looking back, it was the biggest mistake of my life because i have never seen "my friend" from that day to this. My advice, DON'T have any what so ever if driving, just not worth it.
The driver fled the scene & was not caught until a few days later but by then, the alcohol had gone from his system. How the police new that he had been drinking was because a few people from the pub had seen him downing quit a few pints. He was not sent to prison, he only recieved a ban & heavy fine. I have to admit that i done something in 2000 that will haunt me forever! I took the blame for my so called mate who was driving my car because i was drunk. He decided to steel something from the petrol station, hence they got my7 number plate & knocked on my door a few hours later. I panicked i told them i was driving & was instantly breathalysed & arrested. I was charged with a DR10 & banned for 18 months. You can imagine my families horror until i told them that i took the blame to save my friend any hasstle ( he was a single parent with 5 month old daughter & depended on his car ) & looking back, it was the biggest mistake of my life because i have never seen "my friend" from that day to this. My advice, DON'T have any what so ever if driving, just not worth it.
Where you are has a big effect too. Where I grew up in a rural area there were miles and miles of deserted roads, often leading to nice pubs that would be totally inaccessible without a car. A different story to getting pissed up and tearing round town centres and housing estates IMO.
why is it so difficult to say "no" when you are driving and why do people assume that one drink is acceptable when driving? do you really not have the balls to refuse a drink when in a social environment?
one day maybe an experienced driver will be drunk and hit you and your theory will be in tatters. the majority of drink-drivers i have seen are in their forties at least, this is, in my opnion, because it was acceptable back when they were younger.
ZesPak said:
I think the problem is with inexperienced drivers + alcohol = accidents waiting to happen.
surely its "drivers + alcohol= accidents waiting to happen?"one day maybe an experienced driver will be drunk and hit you and your theory will be in tatters. the majority of drink-drivers i have seen are in their forties at least, this is, in my opnion, because it was acceptable back when they were younger.
champ54321 said:
a few pints
assuming you drink regular lager at about 2.2 units per pint, you are well over the limit after a few pints and i hope you are caught and punished and bubba doesnt use lube.I really dont mind as long as it sticks to under the limit. but as said people respond to alcohol differently, but I will probably have 1 with a meal or if i am at the pub watching footie i'll have a shandy or something... But for me 1 bottle or a shandy wouldnt really make me reckless, if anything i'll probably be more cautious as I know i've had one drink. I will not drive minimum of 12 hours after a night out. (Starting countdown from when i get home) But even then i'll assess how ill i'm actually feeling before actually driving!
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