Rural drink-driving
Discussion
We've moved from a semi-rural area, to a proper, miles from no-where, rural place. I have to say, though I was aware that the adherence to alcohol limits was somewhat looser in these places, I was however surprised at how normalised it is. People make no attempt to hide it. Growing up it was not uncommon, but during the 90s (I guess) it became less and less socially acceptable. Now it is something you hardly ever see in town. Given the stark lack of public transport, police and even taxis it is easy to see how it happens, but as I say, I guess I was just surprised at how accepted it seems to be by everyone. We are walking distance (just under a mile) from the village, but there are plenty of people who come from 10 miles or more. Granted the only thing they are likely to meet on the journey home is a wayward sheep, but still...
Anyway, cool story, etc.
Anyway, cool story, etc.
I've seen lots of people who have broken drink driving laws in our rural area but don't recall anyone "s
t-faced" or unfit to drive.
Clearly alcohol must have some impairment but the risk of getting caught is virtually none, the liklihood of causing an accident virtually none so should anyone care?
We did have a spate a few years ago when a change in local policing resulted a "crackdown" and sadly someone who used to drive in got run over when he was walking in. He was OK but he ended up in hospital. Nobody as far as I know has ever been hospitalised in the area when DDing.
Not that my anecdotal stories of a village with a population of less than 300 means anything but if people behave reasonably then the outcomes are usually reasonable too. I'd much prefer to see people encouraged to behave reasonably rather than being forced to however I am on a none starter with that one.
Some would argue that driving over the limit is unreasonable. I'm not so sure as many drink impaired drivers still drive more safely and at a standard better than others who meet all the legal standards to drive and at a level which would be considered acceptable.
At the same time, I feel if someone causes an incident where drink is demonstrated to have caused it, they should have the book thrown at them.
I feel the same about speeding too but realise that mine is not the popular view on either of these.
I wonder if any country has ever relaxed DD laws?
t-faced" or unfit to drive.Clearly alcohol must have some impairment but the risk of getting caught is virtually none, the liklihood of causing an accident virtually none so should anyone care?
We did have a spate a few years ago when a change in local policing resulted a "crackdown" and sadly someone who used to drive in got run over when he was walking in. He was OK but he ended up in hospital. Nobody as far as I know has ever been hospitalised in the area when DDing.
Not that my anecdotal stories of a village with a population of less than 300 means anything but if people behave reasonably then the outcomes are usually reasonable too. I'd much prefer to see people encouraged to behave reasonably rather than being forced to however I am on a none starter with that one.
Some would argue that driving over the limit is unreasonable. I'm not so sure as many drink impaired drivers still drive more safely and at a standard better than others who meet all the legal standards to drive and at a level which would be considered acceptable.
At the same time, I feel if someone causes an incident where drink is demonstrated to have caused it, they should have the book thrown at them.
I feel the same about speeding too but realise that mine is not the popular view on either of these.
I wonder if any country has ever relaxed DD laws?
I've lived in rural places for the last 12 years (some really out in the sticks as well).
I've seen people do 4-10 pints then drive home (sometimes that is within walking distance). It is the norm and is made worse by more of the local pubs closing.
I do know a few people who got caught by the police, who camped up in the same spot once maybe twice a year.
I've seen people do 4-10 pints then drive home (sometimes that is within walking distance). It is the norm and is made worse by more of the local pubs closing.
I do know a few people who got caught by the police, who camped up in the same spot once maybe twice a year.
There was someone in one of the Dales villages up the road from me who got done for DD. To be fair it was at the level where most people wouldn’t be able to find their car, let alone drive it.
I mentioned this to a colleague who lived in the same village, she said ‘well it was only a matter of time, the police have given him enough warnings’!
I mentioned this to a colleague who lived in the same village, she said ‘well it was only a matter of time, the police have given him enough warnings’!
Five and drive... them's the rules. Oh, and it's multiples thereof... so if you've had nine pints, don't risk it whatever you do. Better off having one for the road, then drive on ten.
Just for the record, I would in no way do that. But I know someone that lives in the sticks, and that is genuinely what they say.
Just for the record, I would in no way do that. But I know someone that lives in the sticks, and that is genuinely what they say.
J4CKO said:
Its all good fun until you come off the road and end up with a fence pole in your ribcage for your trouble, as someone I know did. He survived, more or less. He wasnt pissed but was definitely over and wasnt even his fault really, another car came onto his side of the road at speed.
Yup, and if you come off the road in the middle of nowhere, it can be hours before you're found. Tom8 said:
It is fairly common. It does make you very wary when driving at night and even during the day some times if the weather is like today. We park on our land and walk the last bit to the pub of a few hundred meters then drive back home. All on our land. Haven't crashed yet.
How much land do you own?I've just got back from a week's holiday in Donegal with extended family.
I had a pint of Guinness on the night I drove to the pub, then went on the Alcohol-frees.
My wife's cousin's husband saw my Heineken Zero and said "I've been coming up here on holiday for over 20 years and have never once even seen a single Garda officer, so you can have another Guinness if you want".
I guess with that level of policing in remote areas people are just tempted to try to get away with it.
I had a pint of Guinness on the night I drove to the pub, then went on the Alcohol-frees.
My wife's cousin's husband saw my Heineken Zero and said "I've been coming up here on holiday for over 20 years and have never once even seen a single Garda officer, so you can have another Guinness if you want".
I guess with that level of policing in remote areas people are just tempted to try to get away with it.
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