ScoTTyB

The problem with drink driving isn't the alcohol (up to say 5 pints) it's the fact people who do this can't drive for **** in the first place and are the type to take risks, show off e.t.c. If you don't think you could drive after 4 or 5 pints then you shouldn't be on the road period, imho.

jasey

The answer is to increase the punishment not increase the number of borderline cases prosecuted.

just over limit - 1 year ban

double the limit - lifetime ban - If already banned - 2 years in jail

three times or more - minimum 2 years in jail up to death by hanging.

that should sort it !

Brendan Hughes

Other thing is, a bit contrary to what I said above, people are finding out that banning isn't necessarily having an effect (Europe-wide, not specifically UK) - many "respectable" white-collar people get banned for, say, speeding and then continue to drive. They are looking into alternative ways to dissuade people from committing serious traffic offences.

Tell me, if you knew your car would be crushed, would you still risk driving the morning after?

martinbrown

A unit takes about 2 hours after you have finished drinking it to leave your system. 1 hour for it to be absorbed and 1 hour to be removed. Not being picky, just try to help

I never drink if im driving, its not worth the hassle and loosing my job wouldn't be good for the mortgage

Martin

fatherpierre

Where I work there are less police on the streets around xmas. They have families too

There is a massive increase in people taking the risk of beer then driving, though.

I was on nights over the xmas week 2005. Over 7 nights I personally had 11 in for drink drive. 1 bloke, a Venezuelan was driving with no lights on (3am), wrong side of the road, wife and 2 kids in the motor. When I stopped him he literally fell out of the car. He blew 180ish on the machine - 40 is the charge minimum.

Scoob99

iTrader: (1)

Spot on, when you go through the pain of being trapped in your vehicle for 3 hours like I was not knowing whether your going to live or die, then I'm afaid your the one who has to get a grip unless you personally go through this kind of situation can you quote, sadly SOME PEOPLE do not realise what affect drink driving can have on the poor sod trapped and very seriously hurt and the after affects it can cause.
Cheers
Colin

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Fair point, for sensible people, but how many people still drive after being caught with no insurance,licence or tax?

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

What a load of tosh!

I can drive - I've even passed my test to say so, but I wouldn't entertain driving after 2 pints let alone 5.

People who think they're the best drivers invariably arn't.

I think you need your head examined.

PeteBrant

I think the exact opposite is true.

I.e. If you think you *can* drive after 4 or 5 pints you should not be on the road.

In addition to this you probably ought to be admitted to some form of institution for people with mental disorders.

MJW

Maybe there would be less death on the roads if the police concentrated on the 80% or so of people who bin their cars while sober. Unfortunately breath tests and blood tests do not show if the driver is a dick head. Maybe there should be some sort of roadside psychometric testing or the Rorschach inkblot test

OllyK

And there begins a massive increase of MOT failed, uninsured, untaxed crappers on the road that people don't care about should it be crushed.

Biggs

iTrader: (14)

People are always saying things like this, which bug me because there is only so much a understaffed (sp) police force can do.

If people think the police are that useless why not sign yourselves up and make a difference ??

I work closely with the Hertfordshire constabulary as a recovery agent and am constantly siezeing vehicles that are uninsured or being driven whilst unfit etc and i cant praise them enough for what they do.

Lets face it they are never going to get on top of the problem but at least they are trying to put a dent in the statistics

RB5_245

In a lot of developed countries 4/5 pints is still socially acceptable, we just happen to be a lot more aware of the consequences as a nation. Suggesting someone should be institutionalized for not agreeing with your moral high ground is over the top.

davegtt

Ive already pointed out its not the coppers fault as they need more of them on the road.... Cant blame them directly. Personally Id prefer to see more of them walking the streets than driving cars but what can you do?

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I will have one pint say if waiting for a takeaway, I dont see a problem with that, wouldnt have any more and to be honest rarely bother but zero tollerance is going to penalise otherwise law abiding citzens who had a glass of wine with a meal or something three hours ago.

There are other factors as well, driving with a car full of kids, whilst being old, on medication etc etc.

Perhaps lower it a bit and do more random stops, it wont stop the determined as they just carry on driving (and drinking) until put away.

PeteBrant

What?

Firstly, we aren't talking about other countries as far as I am aware

And secondly, suggesting that should not drive on 4/5 pints is not taking the moral high ground, anymore than suggesting people shouldn't drive whilst smoking a crack pipe is, or suggesting that beating your wife is a bit off.

RB5_245

How about this; you do your test drunk, if you pass you get a little picture of a pint glass next to the little car/motorbike which says how many pints you can have and still drive

Luan Pra bang

I have known 3 people to get banned for drink driving and all of them have carried on driving while banned. Two have been caught again over the last few weeks and both will probably keep driving some people just don't care. They may get custodial sentences this time but the second they get out they will be driving again.

RB5_245

Other developed countries are a good benchmark to compare our opinions with. Wife beating and crack smoking are universally unacceptable. Driving after 4/5 pints is not.

It's not under question that driving after a few pints is not a good idea, it certainly is not suggestive of mental instability. Particularly so given it socially acceptable among our international peers.

PeteBrant

Which of our international peers allow people to drive when pissed then, just out of interest.

I mean the vast Majority of Europe has a 0.5mg/ml limit. THe UK Ireland and Italy have a limit of 0.8, Sweden 0.2. 50 States of the US have set it at 0.5, Most of Australia is 0.5.

So, where are there drink driving havens, then?

andy97

iTrader: (1)

The average person metabolizes 1 unit of alcohol per hour. So long as you're not knocking back pint after pint or glass of wine after wine per hour, then you will get rid of the alcohol as you drink it. Be sensible, combine drinking with food, take your time and there wont be any problems.

If you're going on a bender, then leave the car at home, catch a taxi etc.

Andy

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

And this is the real problem: more often that not, the hardcore will simply not be at all bothered by legislation nor increased police patrols as many repeat offenders are driving whilst banned, no insurance, etc anyway. So what exactly is a further ban and paltry fine going to do to disuade them further?

Revised Law: Ns04 style

1st offence: 5 year driving ban minimum, means tested fine equivalent to one third of a years salary, proceeds go to victim support!

2nd offence/Driving whilst on a ban. Instant jail term, min 2 years. (You spit on us, we spit on you) further 5 year ban upon release.

Kill someone whilst drunk behind the wheel, should count as manslaughter with a min jail term of 15 years!

I AM THE LAW!!!!!

Leslie

I would certainly go along with those two points, or in the first case not more than one normal size drink anyway.

As far as the next day is concerned, I think it is your responsibility not to drive if you had a skinful the night before. You just can't rush that one, the alcohol will remain in your system although some people can clear it sooner than others. But can you be certain it is safe anyway? To be fair to the other people that you might just injure or kill, I reckon you should just not drive until you are sure you are fully capable again.

It is a modern outlook on drinking and driving and I support it.

Les

[Davey]

Oh behave! You should have the right to do ANYTHING if you do it responsibly.. Having a shandy, eating chocolate liquers, xmas pud or using mouth wash is not being irrasponsible!

I'm sick of people like you telling me what I can and cant do without using a realistic moral judgement and simply looking at worst case scenarios.. Someone who drinks a shandy isnt even in the same universe let alone league as someone who downs 10 pints then drives home...

Sweet jesus..

RB5_245

Legal, and socially acceptable are two different things

Of some of the 1st world places I've spent considerable time - France, Spain, Holland, USA, Canada for example there is no taboo in having a few drinks before driving home. It's certainly not like the UK where it is akin to casually mentioning you plan on murdering someone on tomorrow.

dpb

yep thats what i said isnt it ?

Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

Here in Germany if you get stopped and blow 0.3 the Police won't allow you to carry on driving and you will need to seek alternative transportation for the remainder of your journey, they won't arrest you unless you are over 0.5

dpb

Apparently In Zim you drive to the bottle store where there maybe a braai out front whereupon you stick down on whatever you brought/bought and several hours later mybe return home beer between the knees - sounds a bit like alabama 50 years ago possibly (less the racialism,hopefully)

One day i might get to give it a go

girl-in-a-scoob

Blimey ... what did I start. Just read all of this after being offline all day... some really valid points there.

Not sure we came to an answer though... Me I have a small baileys at chrsitmas time, thats it, buy a bottle in November and its usually gone by January lol.....

Dont think there is an easy answer to this one ...

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

There isn't an easy answer, other than be aware of the law on how much alcohol you can consume before breaking the limit, and don't drive if you've had more (assuming it's absolutely necessary that you must drive anyway).

As for the morning after, I'm honestly not sure, as I'm no expert, but although you may still have alcohol in your system, it probably won't be having the same effect upon you, as it would if you'd just consumed the equivilent.

I personally don't agree with getting hammered and driving, but there are many factors involved in determining at what point every individual is still capable of driving under the influence, but there has to be a cut off. You can't have various limits depending on sex, weight, tolerance to alcohol etc. Whether or not we agree with the law is kind of irrelevant, as it's there and disagreeing with it doesn't mean it's not breaking the law if we don't abide by it.

Stick to the law, if anyone really knows what exactly it is, or don't drink and drive at all, and you'll be safe.

The one problem I have with this whole crackdown at Christmas is, why just Christmas, easy targets, I think (only my opinion).