Drink Drivers

[LTD]

I'd agree that driving under the influence is something that we should never do, or condone but we also appreciate that there are more than enough **** drivers on our roads who are more dangerous when sober.

In general, the driving standards in the UK are that bad at present that you would be hard pressed to tell who was who.

You'd probably tug the guy at the NSL in the inside lane for a breathalyser check over the numpty in the middle lane doing 10 mph below the NSL.

 

[moonloops]

One thing is certain though: if you are in any doubt whatsoever as to whether you're impaired to drive, then don't.

What about those people who are over the prescribed limit, but who are not actually impaired to drive (and some might say they are a percentage better that some sober but crappy drivers ?)

Just thought I'd throw that out there for discussion..

 

[grober]

What about those people who are over the prescribed limit, but who are not actually impaired to drive (and some might say they are a percentage better that some sober but crappy drivers ?)

Just thought I'd throw that out there for discussion..

That is a myth that many scientific studies have disproved countless times. What alcohol can do is make you think you are are better driver. What it does to reaction times is a different matter it increases them.

 

[poormansporsche]

In my younger days I used to go up the pub in the van have a skinful (although not as much as current boozers on the telly!) and walk the 3 miles home. The next day I would leave it til after lunch then ride the 3 miles back on my push bike and pick the van up. Once I got pulled and it was at least 2 pm and had a B test and was still showing booze in my system although not over the limit. It was certainly a eye opener what with all the time and excercise !

 

[Scott_F]

In my younger days I used to go up the pub in the van have a skinful (although not as much as current boozers on the telly!) and walk the 3 miles home.

I bet you were glad of your beer coat.

 

[poormansporsche]

More glad of the park bench half way home. Many a time taken home by the rozzers after falling asleep on that bench. The good old days of country policemen

 

[MarriedBlonde]

Slightly off topic, but still about DD, there was a piece on radio 5 this morning about drivers still being over the limit the morning after boozing. According to the "expert", that's a bigger problem than has previously been thought.

I was on a works night out a couple of years ago and I was arrested for getting into a sligh altercation with some gents in a night club, I believe you call them bouncers, needless to say I carted off at 3am to the local nick.

I was left to sober up, given coffee and breakfast and interviewed at about 11am.

I was released at 1.30pm. The lady PC that was dealing with me asked if I was driving home, which I said yes, offered to breatherlise me. I was still over the limit at that point. Her advise, go and eat and dont drive for another couple of hours.

Ok so I was spannered at 3pm but I was still able to walk and talk etc I hadn't got drunk enough to tell everyone I love them far from it seems.

So god knows what people are thinking when they drive the morning after a bender.

 

[Roderick Plinge]

My cousin is an A&E consultant at Addenbrookes. You'd be surprised just how many deaths are caused by drink driving. It's appalling. Mobile phones are another pest and I'm sure the majority of idiots who get stopped using their phone in some way feel that they have been victimised. Here's a sobering tale; on returning from a meal (where no drink was involved - I'm T-Total) my partner and I were second on scene at a serious RTA where a 19 boy had been on his phone driving at 70mph on an A road (60mph limit). He'd lost control of his car and collided with a woman coming the other way. He was killed instantly. I had to clamber into the wreckage of his car and check his pulse, but there was nothing I could do. The woman, who turned out to be by partners friend was very badly trapped in her car. All we could so was stand there and watch her die, waiting for the emergency services.
I will never forget this. So remember when you're tempted to use your phone driving just what a total t**t you could be.

 

[E270 Owner]

Well drugs more than alcohol in my area is a big problem.

I grew up in a culture where drinking and driving was acceptable up to the point of having an accident causing injury or death, even then it wasn't seen as being a really bad thing just unlucky.

Of course times change and attitudes do also and now, thankfully, most of the new younger drivers are more responsible than I was when I was their age.

Having said that I wonder how the drink driving deaths rates compare from the 70's-80's with today's figures, also there's more distractions in cars these days with sound systems phones laptops ipods etc etc than back then so those figures might account for drunk distracted drivers, I remember having to drive with one eye closed once, nothing I'm proud of just that's how it was back then.
When stopped once coppers were looking for stolen cars, the officer asked if I had been drinking, it was obvious because of the stench on my breath, he said "take it easy then" as I headed into Brighton town center for a night out clubbing it.

Smoking in cars will be targeted soon as this a dangerous act to perform whilst driving, especially if you have kids in the car and your on the phone doing your make up or eating a Mc Donalds KFC Keebab drinking a hot beverage etc etc

There's always blame to be laid on someone at the scene of an accident, how the casualties got there is a matter of circumstance usually the common denominator is stupidity whether its drugs drink distraction or plain bad luck.

Times have changed as have attitudes to drink driving,
but the mobile phone is the new killer, from mums on school runs to professional lorry drivers,
its just down to luck when the accident happens.






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