Drink/drug driving in TV shows/movies.
Discussion
Of course I realise that movies/TV shows are entertainment and should be treated as such. However, if you see such things happening in UK content chances are the outcome is not going to be good for the person indulging, driving in the UK while under the influence is (rightly) regarded as irresponsible, that’s become part of our social fabric.
However, across the pond it seems very different, regularly in movies/TV shows we see people partaking of some drugs/alcohol before or whilst driving as if it’s part of everyday life.
I recently watched ‘The Order’ a Canadian movie/film our lead investigator is downing cold one’s at a family BBQ before driving home, on a stake out he and side kick are taking slugs from a flask before a pursuit.
‘Marmalade’ an American teen movie our young protagonists are getting stoned before driving to do a heist; increasingly I’m seeing American films where drug driving is normalised.
Why are the attitudes so different in America?
However, across the pond it seems very different, regularly in movies/TV shows we see people partaking of some drugs/alcohol before or whilst driving as if it’s part of everyday life.
I recently watched ‘The Order’ a Canadian movie/film our lead investigator is downing cold one’s at a family BBQ before driving home, on a stake out he and side kick are taking slugs from a flask before a pursuit.
‘Marmalade’ an American teen movie our young protagonists are getting stoned before driving to do a heist; increasingly I’m seeing American films where drug driving is normalised.
Why are the attitudes so different in America?
daqinggregg said:
Of course I realise that movies/TV shows are entertainment and should be treated as such. However, if you see such things happening in UK content chances are the outcome is not going to be good for the person indulging, driving in the UK while under the influence is (rightly) regarded as irresponsible, that’s become part of our social fabric.
However, across the pond it seems very different, regularly in movies/TV shows we see people partaking of some drugs/alcohol before or whilst driving as if it’s part of everyday life.
I recently watched ‘The Order’ a Canadian movie/film our lead investigator is downing cold one’s at a family BBQ before driving home, on a stake out he and side kick are taking slugs from a flask before a pursuit.
‘Marmalade’ an American teen movie our young protagonists are getting stoned before driving to do a heist; increasingly I’m seeing American films where drug driving is normalised.
Why are the attitudes so different in America?
Is it normalised? A stereotype hard living hard drinking copper with many demons, him drinking and driving is setting the narrative of recklessness etc, if after watching a film you think 'oh i reckon I'll start drinking and driving' i don't think the film is the issue.However, across the pond it seems very different, regularly in movies/TV shows we see people partaking of some drugs/alcohol before or whilst driving as if it’s part of everyday life.
I recently watched ‘The Order’ a Canadian movie/film our lead investigator is downing cold one’s at a family BBQ before driving home, on a stake out he and side kick are taking slugs from a flask before a pursuit.
‘Marmalade’ an American teen movie our young protagonists are getting stoned before driving to do a heist; increasingly I’m seeing American films where drug driving is normalised.
Why are the attitudes so different in America?
The time where it is important is if someone posting content to YT is drinking and driving or driving recklessly and filming it, there you'd have a case to maybe report it... but films? No not in my book.
Cotty said:
I don't think drink driving has the same stigma in the US
This is my experience, too. I have family in California who think nothing of going for a cocktail or two and driving home, or sharing a bottle wine with one other person at dinner and then getting in the car.I think it's partly down to the reliance on driving there, with so little within walking/public transport distance for people in many suburban areas so driving to the bar isn't questioned.
Like the OP I also see drink-driving in TV shows and think "oh, this is a set-up for it all to go wrong..." and realising more often than not that it doesn't!
nuyorican said:
I do think we've gotten a bit draconian and hysterical over this. I think the US method of the roadside sobriety test is far fairer than our system. A large chap for example could have spent many years developing a tolerance to booze. So a few beers is not going to hit the sides with regards to being drunk, but yet still probably over the limit.
Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
Quoted for posterity. I'm absolutely astonished that this attitude still exists Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
randlemarcus said:
nuyorican said:
I do think we've gotten a bit draconian and hysterical over this. I think the US method of the roadside sobriety test is far fairer than our system. A large chap for example could have spent many years developing a tolerance to booze. So a few beers is not going to hit the sides with regards to being drunk, but yet still probably over the limit.
Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
Quoted for posterity. I'm absolutely astonished that this attitude still exists Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
nuyorican said:
I do think we've gotten a bit draconian and hysterical over this. I think the US method of the roadside sobriety test is far fairer than our system. A large chap for example could have spent many years developing a tolerance to booze. So a few beers is not going to hit the sides with regards to being drunk, but yet still probably over the limit.
Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
Come back on here and give us an update when you lose a family member/friend etc to drink/drug driving and we'll see if you've had a change of attitude.Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
Simpo Two said:
randlemarcus said:
nuyorican said:
I do think we've gotten a bit draconian and hysterical over this. I think the US method of the roadside sobriety test is far fairer than our system. A large chap for example could have spent many years developing a tolerance to booze. So a few beers is not going to hit the sides with regards to being drunk, but yet still probably over the limit.
Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
Quoted for posterity. I'm absolutely astonished that this attitude still exists Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
Can we try and not derail the thread regarding whether its scummy or not to drink / drug drive, I'm pretty sure we all know its frowned upon heavily.
As for the OP, yes I agree, there seems to be a lot of American movies or shows that will show 2 guys in a bar polishing down whiskeys or beers, then its a quick look at the watch and hey ho! They're tearing around LA in the V8 on the way to bust some skulls or whatever. It does seem a lot more normalised over the US that having a few beers and getting behind the wheel is no biggie.
As for the OP, yes I agree, there seems to be a lot of American movies or shows that will show 2 guys in a bar polishing down whiskeys or beers, then its a quick look at the watch and hey ho! They're tearing around LA in the V8 on the way to bust some skulls or whatever. It does seem a lot more normalised over the US that having a few beers and getting behind the wheel is no biggie.
romeogolf said:
Cotty said:
I don't think drink driving has the same stigma in the US
This is my experience, too. I have family in California who think nothing of going for a cocktail or two and driving home, or sharing a bottle wine with one other person at dinner and then getting in the car.I think it's partly down to the reliance on driving there, with so little within walking/public transport distance for people in many suburban areas so driving to the bar isn't questioned.
Yes, Americans have a blind spot with DUI, they have a blind spot with alcohol actually, same with the French, it doesn't yet have the shame factor OR even the harsh sentencing of the UK.
The Karen Read re-trial is case in point, everyone drives to the bar, then all drive drunk to someones house, imbibe more booze, most of them are Cops BTW, then the very drunk Karen Read runs over her husband with her big f
k-off SUV and everyone is too drunk to remember anything.
The Karen Read re-trial is case in point, everyone drives to the bar, then all drive drunk to someones house, imbibe more booze, most of them are Cops BTW, then the very drunk Karen Read runs over her husband with her big f

milesgiles said:
Arthur Daley was absolutely blutered behind the wheel several times
I was going to say Arfur and Tel in Minder. Virtually every episode has him knocking back large VAT's in the Winchester then going off somewhere in his Jag. Mind you Terry only seemed to have a half lager, a far cry from his days in The Sweeney where the bottle of scotch in the bottom desk drawer used make a regular appearance.SPD14 said:
nuyorican said:
I do think we've gotten a bit draconian and hysterical over this. I think the US method of the roadside sobriety test is far fairer than our system. A large chap for example could have spent many years developing a tolerance to booze. So a few beers is not going to hit the sides with regards to being drunk, but yet still probably over the limit.
Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
Come back on here and give us an update when you lose a family member/friend etc to drink/drug driving and we'll see if you've had a change of attitude.Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
nuyorican said:
Cotty said:
I don't think drink driving has the same stigma in the US
I do think we've gotten a bit draconian and hysterical over this. I think the US method of the roadside sobriety test is far fairer than our system. A large chap for example could have spent many years developing a tolerance to booze. So a few beers is not going to hit the sides with regards to being drunk, but yet still probably over the limit.Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
I worked in the states quite a bit in my last job and saw a lot of drink driving, spent an evening getting quite drunk in a bar in Atlanta, one of the guys I had been chatting with left just before me, he was mullered, saw him being helped into a van. I thought far dos he is getting a lift home, then I remembered thats the drivers seat !
We arent hysterical, the limit is pretty generous considering how harsh it could be.
Still amazes how many people gamble with it, often to save time, agro or a taxi fare, I always imagine having to explain being banned and having to live with the consequences for ages until I get my license back, hell of a gamble to save £30 on a taxi or just get home. Its years of inconvenience, derision, expense and inconvenience. Quite apart from the danger to yourself and others.
A mates dad got nicked driving quarter of a mile home from his local, had been warned but ignored it, as a carpet fitter he was screwed when he got banned, daft sod.
Geographical differences too. In a lot of American (and Canadian) towns, you can only get about by car. They often don’t have a UK style town centre, but are more like the outskirts of UK towns or industrial estates, with shops and restaurants spread out over the whole area, so driving is the only way to get about.
Simpo Two said:
SPD14 said:
nuyorican said:
I do think we've gotten a bit draconian and hysterical over this. I think the US method of the roadside sobriety test is far fairer than our system. A large chap for example could have spent many years developing a tolerance to booze. So a few beers is not going to hit the sides with regards to being drunk, but yet still probably over the limit.
Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
Come back on here and give us an update when you lose a family member/friend etc to drink/drug driving and we'll see if you've had a change of attitude.Likewise with 'drug driving', a bit of weed etc probably has little effect on a lot of drivers, some more so. It doesn't seem fair that you could lose your license for having metabolites in your system from a spliff you smoked possibly days before.
Far more important - not watching the bloody road.
I think the record must be Vanilla Sky where Tom Cruise stares at his passenger for what feels like a full minute.
In that time he would've mowed down thousands of people and demolished hundreds of buildings. And then snapped back to attention and trundled home none the wiser.
I think the record must be Vanilla Sky where Tom Cruise stares at his passenger for what feels like a full minute.
In that time he would've mowed down thousands of people and demolished hundreds of buildings. And then snapped back to attention and trundled home none the wiser.
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