Drinking and Driving...

[BigSwede]

My buddy got a DWI recently, had 4 drinks in 3 hours. Based on what he experienced, many of us may be over the limit even when we think we are "fine". He was totally shocked he failed...this is a guy who would never knowingly break the law.

I am seriously considering getting a breathalyzer just so I can find out when I am actually at risk of a DWI.

[VX crazy]

My ex husband got a DUI when he was a detective just a couple years ago....needless to say he can never work in law enforcement again. Its not worth it, they sell those little handy devices that you can breath into to see if your over the limit, maybe I will find mine before moab!

[circmand]

The only problem is only 25% of the accidents on the road are caused by drunks. That means 75% are caused by sober people. We need to not let teens drive at all they cause a lot of accidents, studies show using a cell phone is as dangerous as drunk driving people who use cell phones when driving should be arrest and fined just like drunk drivers, also old farts have you seen them? They drive cars 3 miles long and cant see over the steering wheel. They drive half the speed limit and shouldnt be allowed to driveeither. And dont get me started when they get behind the wheel of RVs. As long as we are working at this have you seen these women who put make up on and get dressed while they are driving? Off to jail with them to. Dont think I am forgetting the guys but their list is too long too mention as well. And finally some people just cant drive but are given licenses anyhow.

One should not drink and drive but that is just one of the many things drivers are doing that is dangerous but the one every one likes to pick that they think would solve the worlds driving problems.

[Mile High VX]

Just realize that between 3% and 4% of alcohol related crashes result in a fatality, while only 1/2 to 3/4 of 1% of non-alcohol related crashes result in fatalities.

It's also important to note that all alcohol related accidents do not involve a drunk driver. If a drunk non-occupant (a pedestrian) steps in front of a car the accident is reported as an alcohol related incident.

I agree that more measures need to be taken to eliminate other types of distracted/impared driving so that we can all be safer on the road.

[circmand]

Just realize that between 3% and 4% of alcohol related crashes result in a fatality, while only 1/2 to 3/4 of 1% of non-alcohol related crased restult in fatalities.

It's also important to note that all alcohol related accidents do not involve a drunk driver. If a drunk non-occupant (a pedestrian) steps in front of a car the accident is reported as an alcohol related incident.

I agree that more measures need to be taken to eliminate other types of distracted/impared driving so that we can all be safer on the road.

After posting I was afraid my ranting may come off a tad offensive and people would think I condoned Drunk driving I do not.

[Mile High VX]

No offense taken here.

I think you did a nice job of making us all aware of other harmful behaviors that make our roads equally unsafe...

[Cobrajet]

32 years ago, at the age of 23, I realized had a choice to make; keep drinking and driving and lose my precious Cobra, my TS/SBI clearance, my career, and possibly my life, or quit drinking and have a safe (boring) life. I'm still here, so you know which choice I made. Cold turkey! It can be done!

(My cars make up for my otherwise boring existence. )

[pbkid]

My buddy got a DWI recently, had 4 drinks in 3 hours. Based on what he experienced, many of us may be over the limit even when we think we are "fine". He was totally shocked he failed...this is a guy who would never knowingly break the law.

hmm... interesting you say that.. because... as many of you know, i have first hand experience with this.
basically what you explained here steve is exactly me. i never was a heavy drinker, and i never drove when i had any feeling of even tipsyness...
well, as many of you have heard, i went to a friend of mines wedding... had a few drinks spread over a few hours..lost track of how many i had. so i stopped drinking, waited until i felt sober, then waited another hour, then ate.... came up with a .1 BAC.
i was also shocked when i failed.... i definately thought that he was going to test me, and on my way home with a 'be safe'....instead, 8 months later, im about 8k down and have definately lost a feeling of self pride through this ordeal. its been a long trip, and i just recently (last friday) came off of supervised probation.

i immediately stopped drinking after my DUI for 4 months, it has severely affected my personal confidence, my friend base has become completely nothing, and my career is going to be changed significantly due to me going to school to be in law enforcement.
before my DUI i was expecting to probably move directly out of college into a federal level job. i now am waiting a minimum of 5 years before i can even APPLY, much less have a chance of getting a job.

drinking and driving is absolutely not worth the consequences.

and on a side note of those who do choose to drink heavily. it takes alcohol 12 hours after your last drink to clear from your system. many people who get DUI's get them in the morning.
i currently have a breathilizer in my car, and i can attest to the fact that if you drink heavily and try to drive within 12 hours, you absolutely WILL get a DUI if you are pulled over... keep that in the back of your mind...

[VX KAT]

Very moving and thanks to those courageous enough to share your stories. Dave & I "usually" "try" to pick one of us to be the designated driver when we go out to dinner. BUT, it's so easy to have a beer or two anyway. Always "thought" because I'm a "big" girl, I must be able to handle more, and certainly 1 or 2 beers can't possibly put ME over the DUI limit, right? Wrong! Actually, have no idea what my BA level would be after 1 or 2 beers, heck, don't even know what my state's limit is! Ignorance is no excuse.

This, and the seat belt thread, have been a very important reality check.

And Jack, I have to say again, I respect you on how maturely you handled your situation.

Life is good, very good. Let's all keep it that way!

[pbkid]

[circmand]

The law isn't about impaired and there is no information available about what is impaired. If you are even feeling better after a drink the law states you are impaired. The law is based on a percentage without taking into account the actually quality of driving. Now I am not saying anyone drives better after drinking they do not. But to claim as the law does that everyone becomes a bad driver at .10% and then change it to .08% based on a political organization is pure politics. On the bright side few get pulled at .08% because they are still driving better then a lot of the idiots on the road. A claim could be made that a person who had been drinking a small amount but worried about a DUI may actuall pay more attention while driving so that their impaired driving is superior to idiots who are sober yet talking on the phone or otherwise oblivious to other cars onthe road. I have been unablew to find any research that demonstartes that .o8% causes all drivers abilities to degrade to unacceptable

[pbkid]

you know... to be completely honest.... the whole idea of buying a meter, testing yourself and expecting to know what your BAC is gonna be sounds like a terrible idea...

i think of it the same way i do radar detectors.. people think that because they have them, they will never get a ticket... well, i, for one know that it isnt true. i was clocked by aircraft on a highway going FAR over the limit because i was overconfident with my radar detector.
so, i actually blame that ticket directly on my radar detector... because i had a false sense of safety and security because i got so used to not having to worry about tickets.

i think the same could happen with a BAC tester. you could test yourself a few times after having 2 beers and think.. ok i know that im only at .06 after 2 beers... but what you dont think of is how much water you had.. maybe the days you tested it you had drank half a gallon of water, but one day you only drink one glass and have 2 beers at the bar.... BOOM.. dui....

make sense??

[Ldub]

i was clocked by aircraft on a highway going FAR over the limit because i was overconfident with my radar detector.
so, i actually blame that ticket directly on my radar detector... because i had a false sense of safety and security because i got so used to not having to worry about tickets.



make sense??

Ummmmm...NO...

Don't you bear 100% of the blame, for speeding in the first place?...

[BigSwede]

Recently here in the Minneapolis area a new service has begun that will come and get you at the bar...two guys and a car, one of the guys will drive you home in your car with the other following to pick the driver up. I'm told it doesn't cost any more than a cab. Seems like a great idea to me, and your car is home with you the next morning...

[BigSwede]

i think the same could happen with a BAC tester. you could test yourself a few times after having 2 beers and think.. ok i know that im only at .06 after 2 beers... but what you dont think of is how much water you had.. maybe the days you tested it you had drank half a gallon of water, but one day you only drink one glass and have 2 beers at the bar.... BOOM.. dui....

make sense??

Sure, that could happen. But I don't see the harm in seeing what my BAC is when I feel "fine" to drive after some drinking. Maybe I am actually fine... but maybe I am not. I want to get a rough personal calibration, because right now I have no freeking idea.