Alcohol & Driving

Chattastrophe! · 26-12-2013 08:15PM

Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable driving after even one drink. If I'm drinking at all, I'm not driving that day. Wouldn't let anyone put any pressure on me to drive them anywhere, either ... they should make their travel plans in advance.

I know that one drink SHOULDN'T really make a difference ... but what if you were in an accident that one time you'd had a drink, and you hurt/killed someone. Even if you were tested and were under the limit ... it would be impossible really to be sure that the alcohol hadn't slowed your reactions by those few split seconds that might have made a difference.

hairyslug · 26-12-2013 08:21PM

I was at the in laws for Christmas dinner, we had driven 60 miles to get there and the 1st thing I was offered when I had got through the door was would I like a drink, my wife explained I was driving and she was told "sure a couple won't hurt"
These are the same people that told me to have a drink before I went into the rotunda when my wife was giving birth to calm the nerves.
Some people just don't see the issue in having a few drinks before getting in the car

Wompa1 · 26-12-2013 08:58PM

Roger_007 wrote: »

I think everyone has lost the run of themselves here. One drink doesn't make anyone drunk or incapable. That is why there is a limit set, below which you can drive perfectly legally and safely. [\QUOTE]

Personally, I go 6-9 months without drinking. The first time I drink a pint after that length I've got a buzz after one. I wouldn't be great at driving in that state.

My friend and I bought an electronic breathalyzer for our apartment. It was for the next day to see when we could drive. One day we tested at 1pm and were still way over the limit. We weren't passable until the evening.

I think those figures of how quickly people absorb alcohol doesn't apply to everybody. Mind you, my housemate was much bigger than myself and we were both well over.

December2012 · 26-12-2013 09:18PM

I may be under the limit but I still never drink and drive. I also don't drive tired and I don't drive angry, I agree with another poster who said these are also impairments to driving.

If I decide to drive after I have a drink it should be my decision, and fair play to the OP for refusing to cow down because of peer pressure from others.

Let them go drink drive if they think it's ok and have no moral or legal heebie Jeebies about the consequences.

Daqster · 27-12-2013 12:48PM

whupdedo wrote: »

The original post is now 1 hour old, surely to Christ he's able to drive by now, or is he going to make a huge deal out of it altogether

I collected the person when I said I would

Odd post.

27-12-2013 12:54PM

Was in Applegreen on the M1 on Xmas day night getting smokes, and I saw a really pissed Indian guy of all things, could barely keep his balance I'm front of me, he hopped in his car and drove off as if it was nothing, I waited about 3 mins before following him up the road so I didn't have to be on the same motorway as him....

In hindsight I should have reported him, my head was wrecked not getting his reg...

jippo nolan · 27-12-2013 01:00PM

Fieldog wrote: »

Was in Applegreen on the M1 on Xmas day night getting smokes, and I saw a really pissed Indian guy of all things, could barely keep his balance I'm front of me, he hopped in his car and drove off as if it was nothing, I waited about 3 mins before following him up the road so I didn't have to be on the same motorway as him....

In hindsight I should have reported him, W my head was wrecked not getting his reg...

Was he on a horse?

hedgehog2 · 27-12-2013 01:11PM

I dropped into my local shop just b4 Christmas Eve and picked up an energy drink.
Had it in my hand to the car park,drove down the road,car followed and flipped on their lights.
Two guards in unmarked car,straight over with breathalayzer and asked for a sample.
They were sure I was over the limit as pub attached to shop and can is a large can looked like I was swiggin and driving.
Passed it nae bother as I dont drink anymore and did not mind them doing it but it could have been the other way,if I was a drinker having 2 pints and driving up the road hone I was caught.
They were very sneaky in the car park but I think no one should risk it.
The amount of times I saw drink driving in USA r friends would drive us drunk to a club when I was younger.
I have driven motorbikes drunk myself literally 100's of times in the far east in my 20's,copped on once I gave up the drink it just makes you do stupid things and makes people suggest stupod things like drink drivin to pick up a rellie.

Kurtosis · 27-12-2013 01:12PM

Whatever about all the other things that can impair driving, alcohol is one of the few modifiable factors. If anyone chooses to voluntarily impair their driving ability by drink-driving, that's their own idiotic decision.

Nemeses · 27-12-2013 01:17PM

Cydoniac wrote: »

I'm all for banter on Boards but joking about drink driving is weak.

'Tis after hours.. What did you expect?

preston johnny · 27-12-2013 01:42PM

When I was living in England I was driving home from the pub when a Policeman pulled me over. He asked if I'd been drinking. I said "I've had eight pints of Fosters." He told me he was sorry to have troubled me and let me go on my way

Limecube · 27-12-2013 02:56PM

Sky King wrote: »

According to Mattie McGrath TD alcohol can make you more relaxed and comfortable behind the wheel and therefore safer.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/one-drink-helps-some-drivers-td-26576650.html

First time, I've seen this! You couldn't make this **** up. It never enters their heads that maybe a "nervous" or "jumpy" driver shouldn't be driving and should get more training. Does the theory work for pilots?

seano12 · 27-12-2013 03:25PM

Two pints is the limit in England much better system

Sick of the government turning our country into a Nanny state, if people want to drink and drive nobody is gonna stop them its their own decision now 3 or 4 pints is taking the mick

Thomas D · 27-12-2013 03:29PM

I can have four pints on a night out and drive home later. The level of scaremongering is ridiculous.

Pro Hoc Vice · 27-12-2013 03:38PM

rwg wrote: »

is it actually drink driving though? he's under the legal limit - so its up to individual

While a person may be under the limit, there still is the offence intoxicated driving that does not require evidence of being over any limit, it requires two pieces of evidence 1 consumption of an intoxicant, drink, prescription drugs or illegal drugs, secondly the evidence of not having proper control of a car, that can be a cash or the evidence of a person that driver did not have proper control The minimum ban in such cases is 4 years, they are rare but do happen.

Pro Hoc Vice · 27-12-2013 03:40PM

rwg wrote: »

why would it make a difference? if it did then surely it would be illegal

It may be illegal, the driver could be found guilty of section 4 (1) Road Traffic Act 2010 minimum 4 year ban.

Pro Hoc Vice · 27-12-2013 03:42PM

Roger_007 wrote: »

I think everyone has lost the run of themselves here. One drink doesn't make anyone drunk or incapable. That is why there is a limit set, below which you can drive perfectly legally and safely. Otherwise you should not be allowed to drive if you've had a sherry trifle or a slice of Christmas pudding.
I often have a glass of wine with my lunch and I don't feel any less capable of driving and in fact I am not any less capable. Fatigue is actually a much more dangerous problem and the main cause of late-night fatal accidents. I have never heard of anyone becoming apoplectic about someone driving when they are tired.
Common sense is all that is required.

Incorrect! On the its ok to drive with one drink. In fact most people will give the AGS part of the required evidence I only had the one. Also its important to remember for certain drivers the limit is .2 rather than .5.

Nino Brown · 27-12-2013 03:46PM

oceanman wrote: »

im all fairness if you feel you cant drive properly after one measure of JD then you probably should give up driving full stop!

Then why drink at all. The way I see it is, people drink because of the effect it has on the body. If the alcohol has any effect at all, reactions will be slower, and the chances of being involved in an accident are increased. In which case you shouldn't drive.
If you feel that the amount of alcohol won't have any effect on your body, then why bother drinking it?

Pro Hoc Vice · 27-12-2013 03:48PM

seano12 wrote: »

Two pints is the limit in England much better system

Sick of the government turning our country into a Nanny state, if people want to drink and drive nobody is gonna stop them its their own decision now 3 or 4 pints is taking the mick

The UK limit is 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, in ireland its 50 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

The UK also allows conviction in cases where there are no samples.

rwg · 27-12-2013 05:12PM

infosys wrote: »

While a person may be under the limit, there still is the offence intoxicated driving that does not require evidence of being over any limit.

in the case of alcohol (thats what is in discussion here) please refer me to one case where this have ever occurred

Pro Hoc Vice · 27-12-2013 05:53PM

rwg wrote: »

in the case of alcohol (thats what is in discussion here) please refer me to one case where this have ever occurred

Intoxicated driving includes drink and I am currently involved in a case where there is a charge under section 4 (1) and it's only drink no reading. It does happen but as I said rare convictions are very hard to secure.

I accept I have never seen a case where a sample was given it happens where for some reason a sample was not taken.

Mint Aero · 27-12-2013 08:52PM

Aren't ya a great fella altogether :rolleyes:
Thanks for sharing

we all know you're great now :rolleyes:

grainnewhale · 27-12-2013 09:35PM

lots of people could have 4 or 5 pints and not affect their driving. lots of people driving with no drink or worse than those with a few drinks. if 25% of accidents or alcohol related, then 75% aren't. maybe drink driving should be cumpolsury

Kurtosis · 27-12-2013 09:40PM

grainnewhale wrote: »

lots of people could have 4 or 5 pints and not affect their driving. lots of people driving with no drink or worse than those with a few drinks. if 25% of accidents or alcohol related, then 75% aren't. maybe drink driving should be cumpolsury

Please say you are joking...

Nino Brown · 27-12-2013 09:41PM

grainnewhale wrote: »

lots of people could have 4 or 5 pints and not affect their driving. lots of people driving with no drink or worse than those with a few drinks. if 25% of accidents or alcohol related, then 75% aren't. maybe drink driving should be cumpolsury

I think I can safely say nobody can drink 4 or 5 pints and not have it affect their driving. But there's plenty of people out there who think it doesn't affect their driving, they're the problem.

Thomas D · 27-12-2013 09:46PM

Nino Brown wrote: »

I think I can safely say nobody can drink 4 or 5 pints and not have it affect their driving. But there's plenty of people out there who think it doesn't affect their driving, they're the problem.

Only if you are putting them down quick enough and you drive 30 minutes after your last. If you 4 pints from 8 to midnight, have a water, a dance and a chipper you'll be fine by 2am.

Aidric · 27-12-2013 09:50PM

'Nothing worse than having a smash when you're stone cold sober' - Bernard Manning

grainnewhale · 27-12-2013 09:50PM

Nino Brown wrote: »

I think I can safely say nobody can drink 4 or 5 pints and not have it affect their driving. But there's plenty of people out there who think it doesn't affect their driving, they're the problem.

you can only speak for yourself

grainnewhale · 27-12-2013 09:52PM

infosys wrote: »

Incorrect! On the its ok to drive with one drink. In fact most people will give the AGS part of the required evidence I only had the one. Also its important to remember for certain drivers the limit is .2 rather than .5.

the only answer anybody should give the gardai when asked if they were drinking is a big no.

mikom · 27-12-2013 09:57PM

Daqster wrote: »

Okay, so I was asked to collect a friend of the family from a few miles away who was having trouble getting a taxi

Drink drive away OP.............. and that could be you next Christmas.

Alcohol & Driving

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