Voluntarily Breathalised?

fletch · 24-08-2012 9:12am #1

Can I drop into a Garda station and ask to be breathalised?

Nissan doctor · 24-08-2012 9:13am

fletch wrote: »

Can I drop into a Garda station and ask to be breathalised?

Why??

fletch · 24-08-2012 9:16am

Suppose I had a drink or two, then waited a couple of hours but was worried that I might still be over the limit? Could I drop into a Garda station to check before setting out?

PauloMN · 24-08-2012 9:17am

fletch wrote: »

Suppose I had a drink or two, then waited a couple of hours but was worried that I might still be over the limit? Could I drop into a Garda station to check before setting out?

Not sure, but I wouldn't drive down to the station to check!

fletch · 24-08-2012 9:18am

Something tells me that I wouldn't be entertained but surely it would be the more responsible thing to do.

bazz26 · 24-08-2012 9:20am

You can buy them over the counter these days, how accurate they are is up for debate though.

http://www.irishbreathalyzershop.ie/

Indricotherium · 24-08-2012 9:20am

fletch wrote: »

Suppose I had a drink or two, then waited a couple of hours but was worried that I might still be over the limit? Could I drop into a Garda station to check before setting out?

Probably depends on who's on the desk when you walk in.

Nissan doctor · 24-08-2012 9:21am

I'd imagine they would tell you the obvious thing, if you've had any drinks....you don't drive.

M cebee · 24-08-2012 9:22am

doubt it -they're not providing a service
they're enforcing the law

fletch · 24-08-2012 9:25am

bazz26 wrote: »

You can buy them over the counter these days, how accurate they are is up for debate though.

http://www.irishbreathalyzershop.ie/

Yeh I was aware that these existed but as you say I have heard that they mightn't be the most accurate. I would just like to know for sure before setting out that if I am pulled over and breathalised that I would pass.
Before anyone starts...I am not in the habit of drinking and driving, tbh I hardly ever drink (maybe 2-4 pints a month)

Valetta · 24-08-2012 9:31am

I don't think there is any chance they would entertain it.

Apart from wasting police time, what would be the situation if you passed in the station, but failed a subsequent breath test at a checkpoint?

This could easily happen, as it takes time for the alcohol level to reachnit's level in the body.

This is why they make you wait 20 minutes in the station before testing you.

TheNog · 24-08-2012 12:34pm

Dropping into a garda station for a voluntarily breath test if never gonna happen. In a small town you could 10 to 15 people coming in more or less at the same time, a city station could have a couple of hundred ppl coming. It is too much and there is far more important things to be doing in fairness.

keithclancy · 24-08-2012 12:50pm

fletch wrote: »

Can I drop into a Garda station and ask to be breathalised?

Sure why not ask for a lift home while your at it

nicol · 24-08-2012 1:04pm

There was coverage in the media a couple of years ago where festival goers at Electric Picnic were asking the guards on duty to breathalyze them on there way out on the morning after it finished to ensure they weren't over the limit. AFIAR the guards were obliging. Might not get the same response at your local station though!!

Boskowski · 24-08-2012 1:20pm

Some guard in good form might do it especially if she/he likes you but generally speaking I don't think they would even want to do it.
Imagine they would open themselves up to all sorts of possible legal trouble.
Plus these things aren't cheap. Why should the taxpayer fund ones drink and drive problems?

coolisin · 24-08-2012 1:25pm

I have done this last year while leaving oxegen and they were obliging i was under the limit to drive after a heavy night, more just to check i was ok to drive, cant see them not doing it.

What is the worst thing that could happen they say no?

Del2005 · 24-08-2012 1:30pm

Boskowski wrote: »

Some guard in good form might do it especially if she/he likes you but generally speaking I don't think they would even want to do it.
Imagine they would open themselves up to all sorts of possible legal trouble.

What sort of legal trouble? If the OP is breathalysed and passes, then subsequently fails a breath test it's still the OPs fault for driving over the limit. It would be the same as if the OP was driving down a road and gets breathalysed and passes, they meet another checkpoint 30 minutes later and fail. The 1st Garda won't get into trouble for letting them go after they passed.

Boskowski wrote: »

Plus these things aren't cheap. Why should the taxpayer fund ones drink and drive problems?

The plastic tube costs a couple of cents at most.

The only problem with the idea is the logistics if people start dropping into stations to be breathalysed if it becomes know that the Gardaí do it.

Oral Surgeon · 24-08-2012 1:30pm

fletch wrote: »

Yeh I was aware that these existed but as you say I have heard that they mightn't be the most accurate. I would just like to know for sure before setting out that if I am pulled over and breathalised that I would pass.
Before anyone starts...I am not in the habit of drinking and driving, tbh I hardly ever drink (maybe 2-4 pints a month)

If you only have 2-4 pints a month then why not plan those pints for a day that you don't have to drive.... Why would you be bothering the police....

Del2005 · 24-08-2012 1:33pm

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

If you only have 2-4 pints a month then why not plan those pints for a day that you don't have to drive.... Why would you be bothering the police....

Perhaps the OP didn't need to drive and so had a few beers, now for some reason they do and they are trying to be responsible.

fletch · 24-08-2012 1:36pm

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

If you only have 2-4 pints a month then why not plan those pints for a day that you don't have to drive.... Why would you be bothering the police....

Ah if only life was so simple

Oral Surgeon · 24-08-2012 2:03pm

Del2005 wrote: »

Perhaps the OP didn't need to drive and so had a few beers, now for some reason they do and they are trying to be responsible.

That makes no sense. alcohol, now wants to drive but wants to be responsible about it...!

Oral Surgeon · 24-08-2012 2:03pm

fletch wrote: »

Ah if only life was so simple

It is

fletch · 24-08-2012 2:14pm

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

It is

Grand....as I already explained I am not looking to be condemned, I am wondering whether my request would be fulfilled by the Gardai.
As it happens, I am going for 2 pints after work with colleagues, then I will be going on a long spin >3hrs, my OH will be doing the driving, I was just curious that if after a few hours they got tired and I wanted to take over, I could do so responsibly....so spare me the lecture thanks. I am totally against drink/drug driving. God I hate boards sometimes [end rant] ha

Del2005 · 24-08-2012 2:24pm

fletch wrote: »

Grand....as I already explained I am not looking to be condemned, I am wondering whether my request would be fulfilled by the Gardai.
As it happens, I am going for 2 pints after work with colleagues, then I will be going on a long spin >3hrs, my OH will be doing the driving, I was just curious that if after a few hours they got tired and I wanted to take over, I could do so responsibly....so spare me the lecture thanks. I am totally against drink/drug driving. God I hate boards sometimes [end rant] ha

Pints are usually over 2 units, it takes the body an hour to process a unit. 2 pints means you can't drive for about 4 hours after the last one. Not worth the risk for the journey, just pull over and let the OH have a nap.

MugMugs · 24-08-2012 2:24pm

8 hours bottle to throttle so No OP. I don't believe you'd be fit to drive tonight.

Oral Surgeon · 24-08-2012 2:25pm

fletch wrote: »

Grand....as I already explained I am not looking to be condemned, I am wondering whether my request would be fulfilled by the Gardai.
As it happens, I am going for 2 pints after work with colleagues, then I will be going on a long spin >3hrs, my OH will be doing the driving, I was just curious that if after a few hours they got tired and I wanted to take over, I could do so responsibly....so spare me the lecture thanks. I am totally against drink/drug driving. God I hate boards sometimes [end rant] ha

They do sell non alcoholic drinks in bars too...

fletch · 24-08-2012 2:26pm

Del2005 wrote: »

Pints are usually over 2 units, it takes the body an hour to process a unit. 2 pints means you can't drive for about 4 hours after the last one. Not worth the risk for the journey, just pull over and let the OH have a nap.

MugMugs wrote: »

8 hours bottle to throttle so No OP. I don't believe you'd be fit to drive tonight.

Cheers, thanks for the helpful replies

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

They do sell non alcoholic drinks in bars too...

Sheesh...just move on if you have nothing helpful to contribute

Oral Surgeon · 24-08-2012 2:35pm

fletch wrote: »

Cheers, thanks for the helpful replies

Sheesh...just move on if you have nothing helpful to contribute

Ok drink and drive, is that helpful?? Thats obviously the answer you wanted to hear.

M cebee · 24-08-2012 2:38pm

i know a lad that tried this
he got refused-the local sargeant craftily followed him back to the car
and done him for drink driving

fletch · 24-08-2012 2:39pm

Thanks to all (well nearly all)....will be leaving the driving to the OH so

Reg'stoy · 24-08-2012 3:13pm

fletch wrote: »

Cheers, thanks for the helpful replies

Sheesh...just move on if you have nothing helpful to contribute

fletch wrote: »

Thanks to all (well nearly all)....will be leaving the driving to the OH so

fletch wrote: »

Grand....as I already explained I am not looking to be condemned, I am wondering whether my request would be fulfilled by the Gardai.
As it happens, I am going for 2 pints after work with colleagues, then I will be going on a long spin >3hrs, my OH will be doing the driving, I was just curious that if after a few hours they got tired and I wanted to take over, I could do so responsibly....so spare me the lecture thanks. I am totally against drink/drug driving. God I hate boards sometimes [end rant] ha

Can I ask a question of you OP, you claim to be against drink driving. So had you got a breath test which say showed a level of 49mg rather than 51mg, would you have driven? If it had shown a level of say 25mg which is above the new driver/learner/taxi driver level would you also have still driven.

What level were you hoping to blow, being slightly below the legal limit does not magically make you a safer driver.

fletch · 24-08-2012 3:24pm

Reg'stoy wrote: »

Can I ask a question of you OP, you claim to be against drink driving. So had you got a breath test which say showed a level of 49mg rather than 51mg, would you have driven? If it had shown a level of say 25mg which is above the new driver/learner/taxi driver level would you also have still driven.

Tbh if the Garda had said I was safe to drive and I felt 100%, I might have driven...if he/she had said I was over the limit (whatever that value may have been, I have no idea what mgs are in a pint etc), I wouldn't have driven.

Voluntarily Breathalised?

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