Drink Driving

Sully

It seems the problem of drink driving is still as strong as ever, at least in Waterford. If I recall, it was said in the Waterford News & Star that its increasing and not going down in numbers. Why? Why do people decide to take the risk and drive home when they have a few drinks in them? Its well known drink driving is the cause of a lot of accidents on our road - yet people still do it, and don't seem to care the risk they are putting themselves and others at?

When I was heading home last night after all the pubs/clubs had closed up, the taxi drive was telling me that there has been a large number of people arrested for drink driving last night in the Waterford area. They had a number of undercover cars (including a Golf!) watching people leave the clubs/pubs and getting into there cars so they had them soon pulled over - and it seems most were over the limit!

I just cant get my head around what makes people do it? The mind boggles.

miss enzo

me and lee were drivin back from the city last night and saw a good few suspect drink drivers....


i dont get it either...... its not an awful big job to get a lift to the pub and leave the car at home or leave the car at the pub and collect the next day.....


i think the cops are still to light about ppl they catch..... why dont drink driver loose their licences..... i think they should cause by doin it they obv dont care about their own lives or anyone elses for that matter! theyre the kind of ppl that we dont need on the roads!

mayordenis

aye its disgraceful - theres an endless list of reasons not to do it.

JohnC.

Some people use the excuse the drinking causes them to drive more carefully. Which is obviously BS. Some think the fact that they've not had an accident yet means they won't have one. Again...

ex_infantry man

ye the cops have that golf a while they have a 07 bmw 3 series unmarked in enniscorthy could,nt believe it when i saw it after pulling someone over! as for drink driving a lot of the culprits are being caught the next day as they think there ok to drive when in fact there still over the limit!!

manTime

miss enzo wrote: »

i think the cops are still to light about ppl they catch..... why dont drink driver loose their licences..... i think they should cause by doin it they obv dont care about their own lives or anyone elses for that matter! theyre the kind of ppl that we dont need on the roads!

If your convicted of drink driving you do loose your license, min now is 2 years spa

Sully

manTime wrote: »

If your convicted of drink driving you do loose your license, min now is 2 years spa

My impression of miss enzo from her posts on Motors is that she has a different view of driving then most other people! (Just kidding with ya enzo!)

Welcome to the forum enzo, don't think iv seen you post here at all since joining Boards!

Freddie59

manTime wrote: »

If your convicted of drink driving you do loose your license, min now is 2 years spa

But you can get it back after 12 months. It's ridiculous. 5 year mandatory ban should be the minimum. The authorities in this country are not serious about drink driving.

JohnC.

And "but I need a car for my job" should not lead to leniency.

foxshooter243

Kahless wrote: »

And "but I need a car for my job" should not lead to leniency.

No it should lead to a taxi!

fricatus

Travelling from Ferrybank to Ardkeen last night around 1 (with a designated driver, I hasten to add) and it was amazing the number of people driving slowly along the F-bank dualler and the Quay "so as not to stand out". You could see they had a skinful.

From what Sully said, a lot were arrested, and that doesn't surprise me. It would have been like shooting fish in a barrel. There seemed to be more drunk drivers than sober drivers on the road last night. Just a pity that the Gardaí didn't absolutely flood the place with checkpoints... I suppose they've only so much in terms of resources.

Mossy Monk

10 year ban compulsory imo.

Junior

fricatus wrote: »

Travelling from Ferrybank to Ardkeen last night around 1 (with a designated driver, I hasten to add) and it was amazing the number of people driving slowly along the F-bank dualler and the Quay "so as not to stand out". You could see they had a skinful.

How in your good and great judgement could you tell from someone driving slow, that they had a skinful ?

Cabaal

Junior wrote: »

How in your good and great judgement could you tell from someone driving slow, that they had a skinful ?

Generally speaking with anyone driving slow and being overly cautious there's a high chance they may have had something to drink, might have been only one but their still watching the road alot etc

Freddie59

Mossy Monk wrote: »

10 year ban compulsory imo.

Ditto.

I happened to be in Court one day and a number of licences were restored before the ban expired. All that was needed was a letter from your insurer. They didn't even get a bollicking for it. Weird really.

fricatus

Junior wrote: »

How in your good and great judgement could you tell from someone driving slow, that they had a skinful ?

Less of the sarcasm please... there were 5 of us in the car and we could all pick out the obvious ones. It wasn't just that they were driving slowly - people drive slowly all the time. You can generally spot a drunk driver because there's this excess of caution in how they drive... braking wayyyy too early for a junction, coming to a complete stop at a roundabout where there's a good line of sight and no traffic (where ordinarily you'd take it in second or even third), slow to move off from the lights, the odd unexplained steering "wobble", that kind of thing.

I drive 70 miles a day, so trust me, you develop an intuition for this kind of thing.

Sully

fricatus wrote: »

Less of the sarcasm please... there were 5 of us in the car and we could all pick out the obvious ones. It wasn't just that they were driving slowly - people drive slowly all the time. You can generally spot a drunk driver because there's this excess of caution in how they drive... braking wayyyy too early for a junction, coming to a complete stop at a roundabout where there's a good line of sight and no traffic (where ordinarily you'd take it in second or even third), slow to move off from the lights, the odd unexplained steering "wobble", that kind of thing.

I drive 70 miles a day, so trust me, you develop an intuition for this kind of thing.

My father was in the guards, and he used to always tell me how its easy to spot those who have been drinking and driving.

They drive really slow and cautious, thinking they have better control and reaction time if there keeping there eyes pealed and drive slow.

They stand out of the crowd to your general cautious drivers, and there on the road when its rare to see a car (early hours of the morning). So, the guards watch for this type of driving and monitor them for a while seeing how there driving, before pulling them in for a test.

Spud83

I thought there was three different levels regarding the minumum ban.

OFFENCE per 100ml - Minimum Period - 1st Offence - 2nd Offence
Exceeding 80 mg but not exceeding 100 mg - 1 Year - 2 Years
Exceeding 100 mg but not exceeding 150 mg - 2 Years - 4 Years
Exceeding 150 mg - 3 Years - 6 Year

Sorry I just noticed if you are convicted of "Drunk Driving" meaning, Where a person is convicted of the offence of being under the influence to such an extent as to "be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle". Its two years on a 1st offence and four years on a 2nd offence.

Whatever about banning people for a first offence I think the sentences are strict enough, but if you get caught twice you really should be banned for life.


Info Link

south

Freddie59 wrote: »

But you can get it back after 12 months. It's ridiculous. 5 year mandatory ban should be the minimum. The authorities in this country are not serious about drink driving.

not any more they got rid of that about 6 months ago. you have to do the full 2 years

RAFC

Friend had an accident on Christmas Eve - artic hit the back of her car and sent it careering across the road - lucky to be alive. Gardai arrived and didn't even breathalise anyone involved, I thought that was to be standard at all accidents now?????????

miss enzo

manTime wrote: »

If your convicted of drink driving you do loose your license, min now is 2 years spa

i mean for life.... spa!:rolleyes:

i think everyone knows there is a ban... a ban isnt LOSING summit its more like bein revoked for a period of time. i mean lose as in never to get it again.....



p.s Hey sully!

Freddie59

south wrote: »

not any more they got rid of that about 6 months ago. you have to do the full 2 years

Good news. I saw this about 16 months ago.

Sully

miss enzo wrote: »

i mean for life.... spa!:rolleyes:

manTime claims he didnt mean "spa" in the offensive term btw.

miss enzo

hmm ive only ever heard it as an insult. ah well im leavin my post as it is

Not The Real Scarecrow

Think alot more drink driving goes on in the country than the town.In laws from across the bridge and even though they dont say it, I know they do it the whole time.
Think the majority of em are too cheap to pay for a taxi.
Whole thing makes me sick, easy to have one person stay off the drink for the night.I take turns with the wife when ever we go out.
Worse thing about it is thatusually when there's a crash its always the por ****er thatwasn't drinking that gets killed or hurt.

Sully

Meatwad wrote: »

Think alot more drink driving goes on in the country than the town.In laws from across the bridge and even though they dont say it, I know they do it the whole time.
Think the majority of em are too cheap to pay for a taxi.
Whole thing makes me sick, easy to have one person stay off the drink for the night.I take turns with the wife when ever we go out.
Worse thing about it is thatusually when there's a crash its always the por ****er thatwasn't drinking that gets killed or hurt.

Well, this kinda comment often gets slammed:-

Report them. Who cares if they get banned from driving? At least this way they are not putting other lives at risk.

Mossy Monk

Sully wrote: »

Report them. Who cares if they get banned from driving? At least this way they are not putting other lives at risk.

Exactly. Everyone needs to do it.

Cabaal

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Exactly. Everyone needs to do it.

Have to agree completely, its all fine and well saying there doing something wrong and they could get people killed but if your not going to do anything about it then you might as well shut up and stop talking about it because your not doing anyone any good.

Roen

Can all of you honestly say that you've reported every single person you knew was drink driving? Or for that matter ever done it yourselves?

Flapping gums about reporting members of your (extended) family is all well and good here, but doing it is a different thing entirely.

Mossy Monk

I have called the cops on someone before.

Sully

Roen wrote: »

Can all of you honestly say that you've reported every single person you knew was drink driving? Or for that matter ever done it yourselves?

Flapping gums about reporting members of your (extended) family is all well and good here, but doing it is a different thing entirely.

All of my family do not drink and drive. There very careful and leave the car behind. I don't drink so ill often drive them about if im around, else they will walk or get a taxi. If that fails, there will be a designated driver to accommodate those drinking.

Iv never really came across anybody drink driving before. I know people living near me who used to do it, but iv seen them walk now. Habits changing, but not as fast as it should.

Roen

Mossy Monk wrote: »

I have called the cops on someone before.

As have I, but on your own family as is being espoused above?

miss enzo

Roen wrote: »

Can all of you honestly say that you've reported every single person you knew was drink driving? Or for that matter ever done it yourselves?

Flapping gums about reporting members of your (extended) family is all well and good here, but doing it is a different thing entirely.

ive called the cops on ppl (had to call once after this woman drove thru a fence in my old estate, wrote off her car and nearl wrote herself off 2.... had to have her ear sewn back to the head, and have 20 summit more stiches too) and ive followed a fella in town, saw him drive and pull into a car park so i went up tapped the window and told him to give me his keys that id drop them to the station and say i found them.... his mates came over then and said they wudnt let him drive... i said grand and drove down to a nearby parked guard car and told them what happened...... prob not my best move confronting someone while they are hammered ( and a total stranger!) but when i drove by later the car was still there so mission accomplished!!

i have only ever driven with a bit of drink once..... half a wkd and it was 4 hrs later b4 i drove..... since then havent taken a sip of alcohol b4 sittin behind the wheel.... whats the point my licence is too important to me to risk it over drink drivin....


harsh as it may be id report a family member no hassle either....... why shud ur family get special treatment.... if they kill someone could u live with knowin u might have bn able to prevent it???? i couldnt!

Not The Real Scarecrow

Its a different thing when its family.Dont see how reporting them would cheer the wife up too much.Agree totally what your all saying though, but sometimes the cops do **** all.Especially when they know the people in a small community and thats half the problem with drink driving in rural ireland.The cops don't want to bring aload of **** on themselves by nicking a neighbour.
Not saying its right but it goes on alot more than you think.
A few years ago one of mates and another one decided to head off, we found out the next day that they drove home to tramore.The driver couldn't even stand when we left him and we found out they were stopped at a check point but he knew the guard and was told to get home.No charges at all.

JohnC.

Meatwad wrote: »

they were stopped at a check point but he knew the guard and was told to get home.No charges at all.

A drunk driver crashed into my aunt and her kids, writing off her car, and totally got off. The Gardai knew he was drinking as they had been talking to him earlier when he was drinking with the winos in Carrick. Empty cans and bottles literally fell out of the car. He could barely stand. But they didn't so much as do a breathalyser test. He was a friend of one of the top cops in the area:rolleyes:

Sully

Kahless wrote: »

A drunk driver crashed into my aunt and her kids, writing off her car, and totally got off. The Gardai knew he was drinking as they had been talking to him earlier when he was drinking with the winos in Carrick. Empty cans and bottles literally fell out of the car. He could barely stand. But they didn't so much as do a breathalyser test. He was a friend of one of the top cops in the area:rolleyes:

Why didnt you follow the matter up?

AckwelFoley

i was arrested for "drink driving" last year.

I was out in Dublin but decided i had enough and returned to my van to sleep it off until my mate came back from the club.

I was asleep in the car, out like a light, and with never aany intention to drive when the cops banged on the window. They arrested me and brought me to the station.

I passed the breath test in the station.. i got a .028 limit being .030.. its some kind of miricle, considering i was loaded, but i was really annoyed and upset about the thought of loosing my licence. I was released, but i didnt take the chance.. and slept in the back of the van until 9am

Ppl that drink drive simply do it because they get brave with a few pints on them. Best thing to do, as i do.. leave the car at home.

I feel the pene;ty is not severe enough, tou can get your licence back after 6 MONTHS when on appeal to a judge.

Sully

Unless your keys are in the ignition, you cant be charged with attempting to drive while drink IIRC.

AckwelFoley

Sully wrote: »

Unless your keys are in the ignition, you cant be charged with attempting to drive while drink IIRC.

they were.

It gets worse.. i d the engine on to heat up the car...

Stupid... i know.. but i learned my lesson.

Again, i reiterate, i had no intention of driving, nor did i ever.

However as far as i know, if you are in the car with keys in posession, you can get nicked.

Sully

Ah okay. Fair enough so

RAFC

snyper wrote: »

they were.

It gets worse.. i d the engine on to heat up the car...

Stupid... i know.. but i learned my lesson.

Again, i reiterate, i had no intention of driving, nor did i ever.

However as far as i know, if you are in the car with keys in posession, you can get nicked.

I think you are right - once they are in your possession you can be done for drink driving. Even if you are seen walking to the car with the keys in your hand I think you can be caught.

miss enzo

agreed if u have the keys its considered "attempted" drink drivin or "intention" of drink driving but u can see why i mean if ur alseep in ur car u wake up a few hrs later and think ur grand and drive home.......

i agree with the rural ireland thing.... im from Mayo and the amount ive seen up there is crazy! (altho its not much better here!) never mind the cops lettin ppl they know off what about the cops doin it themselves..... i know of 2 cops that used do it regularly.... but u cant do nethin u make a complaint and it "gets lost" somewhere!

CantGetNoSleep

ex_infantry man wrote: »

ye the cops have that golf a while they have a 07 bmw 3 series unmarked in enniscorthy could,nt believe it when i saw it after pulling someone over! as for drink driving a lot of the culprits are being caught the next day as they think there ok to drive when in fact there still over the limit!!

yeah that beemer pulled me over on the way back from a match for going the wrong way down a one way street, nice car

Jrad

That is all very well nad good but simple mouthwash can put you 17 times over the legal limit!!!!

If a person gets pulled for drink driving this must be taken into account

Cabaal

Jrad wrote: »

That is all very well nad good but simple mouthwash can put you 17 times over the legal limit!!!!

If a person gets pulled for drink driving this must be taken into account

what that they've drank a load of mouthwash? :rolleyes:
The 17 times over the limit sounds very very suspect and I'd go as far as to say its complete bollox, I know mythbusters tried it and it increased the limit a very small bit but no where near what your suggesting.

Certainly if you used mouthwash alone it won't put you over the limit..infact no where near, however if your one of those fools who drinks and tries to use mouthwash to cover it up it'll actually make things ever so slightly worse