Drink Driving help

CiniO

Davina Petite Sociology wrote: »

My god, are people actually defending driving with any amount of drink on you? Even the op wasn't defending himself.

Yes. Driving with small bit of alcohol is not as bad as you think.

Many studies have been made, and small amount of alcohol doesn't really impair your driving.
Hence that most EU countries have limits of 50mg alc per 100ml blood.
That corresponds to more than one pint for average size man.
Millions of people drive after that amount, and nothing bad happends.

Instead of heavily prosecuting people who drive after one pint, it's much wiser to prosecute those who bring real danger.

I'm from Poland where drinking limit is 20mg, and even though what most people think and what Polish government is telling us, Poland has very little problem with drink drivers.
But unfortunately police is busy chasing those who drive having 21mg while at the same time there are thousands of other maniacs driving completely erraticly and dangerously, but completely sober.
Drunk driver cause only a tiny bit of accidents, while vast majority of fatal accidents are caused by sober people.
But campain is huge agains drank drivers, not those maniacs doing 200km/h in the town centres.

I'm not defending drunk drivers.
I'm just saying, that driving after one pint is completely different thing to driving after whole night pi$$up.
First ones should be left alone, while second ones should be heavily prosecuted.
And current Irish drunk driving offences and fines for them are adequate to obtain this goal.

djimi

CiniO wrote: »

But there are plenty of people who have been killed by drivers who felt asleep by the wheel, or maybe exceeded the speed limit.

Surely it doesn't mean that everyone should drive only when 100% full of energy, and driving back home after day work when tires would be prohibited as there is a danger of falling asleep.

Also you wouldn't want to be named a murderer when doing 62 in 60 zone, just because someone else killed other person when doing 180 in 60 zone.

Alcohol is for people - all what is needed is to be reasonable with it.

You drive after a small glass of wine with your dinner - no problem - this doesn't impair your driving so you are under the limit.
You drive after two pints in the pub - bad think, your driving is bit impaired and therefore you will be prosecuted (200 fine + 3 points).
You drive totally wasted - you should be penalised as heavy as possible and keep off the road for as long as possible.

I'll say it again - I think current Irish drink driving limits and penalties for exceeding them are really very well though and reasonable.

I have absolutely no idea what point you are trying to make with the first part, or what relevance it has. Because there are other ways that you might be danger on the road its okay for people to drive with drink in them?

The problem with drink driving is that alcohol affects people in different ways. If I had 5 drinks over 4 hours Id almost certainly crash into the gate on the way out, never mind what I would do if I actually made it as far as the road. I think that they are trying to show leniency where Im not sure it belongs. If you plan on drinking then dont drive; period. If you were out on the lash the night before then dont drive the next morning unless you are 100% sure that you are sober. I dont see why there needs to be any half measures about the limits.

CiniO

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

While they may be, the problem is people who think their grand after the next one. Sure the Gardai are out catching real criminals....

And that's the problem. Lack of enforcement makes people abuse the system.
If there was a squad car with brethylised in every village, no one would dare driving after more than one pint.

Studies have been done, drinking effects you from half a pint to a keg, it will effect your driving.

Why take the chance?

Half pint is more likely to actually improve your awareness and shorten your reaction time.
There's plenty of studies about it. Have a read.

djimi

CiniO wrote: »

Yes. Driving with small bit of alcohol is not as bad as you think.

Many studies have been made, and small amount of alcohol doesn't really impair your driving.

Speak for yourself. One pint and I wouldnt trust myself to drive a car. Not everyone is the same.

djimi

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Fitz you can't use the same stick to beat everyone, just look at the problems it's caused with drugs, lets just get hardcore and ban everything mentality doesn't work.
The country side is completely underserved when it comes to public transport, I grew up in the county, drunk driving is dangerous and foolish, drink driving is not necessarily the same thing and I think our drink driving laws acknowledge it.

Jesus christ are you actually saying that there should be different drink driving laws in the country side?

Who gives a toss how inconvenient it is. Want a drink? Take a taxi. No taxis? Get a lift. Cant get a lift? Dont drink. Its not rocket science.

Its pathetic that people try to justify putting the safery of others in danger because they cant go a night without a drink.

CiniO

djimi wrote: »

I have absolutely no idea what point you are trying to make with the first part, or what relevance it has. Because there are other ways that you might be danger on the road its okay for people to drive with drink in them?

With small bit of drink - why not.
With loadz of alcohol - absolutely not.

The problem with drink driving is that alcohol affects people in different ways. If I had 5 drinks over 4 hours Id almost certainly crash into the gate on the way out, never mind what I would do if I actually made it as far as the road.

I suppose if you had 5 drinks (full pints or equivalents) over 4 hours, you would be way over the highest limit, and end up straight in court.

I think that they are trying to show leniency where Im not sure it belongs. If you plan on drinking then dont drive; period. If you were out on the lash the night before then dont drive the next morning unless you are 100% sure that you are sober. I dont see why there needs to be any half measures about the limits.

That probably comes from bit different drinking culture in Ireland than in some other EU countries.
Here people tend not to drink anything for the whole week, and then go for a big pi$$up at the weekend.
Surely driving then is very bad idea.
It's nearly natural in Ireland that when you drink, you drink much.
I treat drinking at different approach.
I hate getting drunk, but I love to have a glass of wine or a bottle of beer with my dinner.
I like to visit my friend to have one pint.
And I'm very happy I can come back home legally after this.

Misticles

CiniO wrote: »

She probably got 2 years ban for not providing a sample.
If she couldn't give breath sample, why didn't they take blood or urine sample?

No idea- I'm surprised the judge didn't ask the same question.

djimi

CiniO wrote: »

I suppose if you had 5 drinks (full pints or equivalents) over 4 hours, you would be way over the highest limit, and end up straight in court.

5 pints in 4 hours is what the OP said that they had the night they were caught; I just used it as an example.

CiniO wrote: »

That probably comes from bit different drinking culture in Ireland than in some other EU countries.
Here people tend not to drink anything for the whole week, and then go for a big pi$$up at the weekend.
Surely driving then is very bad idea.
It's nearly natural in Ireland that when you drink, you drink much.
I treat drinking at different approach.
I hate getting drunk, but I love to have a glass of wine or a bottle of beer with my dinner.
I like to visit my friend to have one pint.
And I'm very happy I can come back home legally after this.

Youre probably right about the culture part. I just really see the point in going out and drinking one drink, but each to their own. Its probably the fact that I am such a lightweight when it comes to drink that I dont really understand why there is any leniency when it comes to limits; as I said I know myself that I would not be safe to drive after a pint/glass of wine. Maybe Im in such a small minority that its insignificant!

tuxy

Misticles wrote: »

No idea- I'm surprised the judge didn't ask the same question.

If she never explained it to the guards in the station at the time the judge probably would not consider it a legitimate excuse.
If it was not down on record from the time she was in the station then it just sounds like something a solicitor made up.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

She. Could have taken the dentures out, people without teeth can exhale forcefully too, it was just an excuse......

CiniO

djimi wrote: »

5 pints in 4 hours is what the OP said that they had the night they were caught; I just used it as an example.

Unless OP is over 25 stones, I would rather put this story within other fairytales.

Son0vagun

Not one bit of remorse from the OP. what a arsehole!

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Son0vagun wrote: »

Not one bit of remorse from the OP. what a arsehole!

That's not my reading of his comments I have to say.

djimi

CiniO wrote: »

Unless OP is over 25 stones, I would rather put this story within other fairytales.

Youre probably right about that tbh :pac:

Bray Header

Hi OP,

I know your pain. Just got my license back after a 2 year and 1 day ban. Lost my job also.

You might think it's the end of the world, but for me there were some unexpected advantages. 1: got a job that I don't depend on my car for, which I love. 2: No car expenses. 3: You realise public transport ain't actually that bad. 4: I now love to walk, and now I've my license back, not sure I'll even bother driving (and I really really loved driving). 5: I took up cycling, which again I love. 6: Lost loads of weight as result of the above. Feeling fit and healthy, looking good (well better than before!)

You probably feel like **** now. i did for 6 months. This will pass.

I wish you all the best.

robertxxx

I hope the op get jailed and banned for life.

CiniO

Bray Header wrote: »

Hi OP,

I know your pain. Just got my license back after a 2 year and 1 day ban. Lost my job also.

You might think it's the end of the world, but for me there were some unexpected advantages. 1: got a job that I don't depend on my car for, which I love. 2: No car expenses. 3: You realise public transport ain't actually that bad. 4: I now love to walk, and now I've my license back, not sure I'll even bother driving (and I really really loved driving). 5: I took up cycling, which again I love. 6: Lost loads of weight as result of the above. Feeling fit and healthy, looking good (well better than before!)

You probably feel like **** now. i did for 6 months. This will pass.

I wish you all the best.

If you really really loved driving as you said, all the arguments you mentions are there only to justify youself, and you are trying to convince yourself that driving is not necessary.

I also love driving, and I wouldn't like to have to convince myself there nothing good about driving, and how wonderful life can be without driving.
No - it isn't. Live without driving must be very boring

CiniO

robertxxx wrote: »

I hope the op get jailed and banned for life.

Maybe capital punishment would be a good offer as well?

And let's hang people who dare to speed more than 2km/h over the limit.

robertxxx

CiniO wrote: »

And let's hang people who dare to speed more than 2km/h over the limit.

2kmph is a lot different than having alcohol in your system.

drunkmonkey

robertxxx wrote: »

I hope the op get jailed and banned for life.

Maybe we should chop off his hands so he can never drive again. He could have killed that Garda if he couldn't stop in time, by golly was he lucky.

ScouseMouse

Davina Petite Sociology wrote: »

My god, are people actually defending driving with any amount of drink on you? Even the op wasn't defending himself.

But is it not only illegal to drive when over the limit ? Are you suggesting no alcohol is a better limit? I respect the limits but I think you are unreasonable there.

It can be impossible sometimes to be zero. I work 6 days a week. I go to the pub on my way home on a friday and collect my van next day.

Should I be arrested if I have some alcohol in my system next day?

I have no problem with drink drive checkpoints but when the cops do them at 11am on a saturday morning, on the Tallaght bypass, what are they trying to do exactly.

How can somebody know what they have in their system at any time. Abstinance is one way, but for someone working like I do, I would be better joining the pioneers !

Armin_Tamzarian

djimi wrote: »

If I had 5 drinks over 4 hours Id almost certainly crash into the gate on the way out

Heh, you must be a terrible driver, or a terrible drinker, or both.

rebecca 30

Amatureday wrote: »

I checked the letter with the results,- it was actually 98 mg per 100ml of urine.

So this means I won't get a ban????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my god......

My eyes are starting to water with joy!!!

Can somebody please confirm????

For less than your reading I got 3 year ban & €500 fine , so unfair

ScouseMouse

rebecca 30 wrote: »

For less than your reading I got 3 year ban & €500 fine , so unfair

But at the time, you broke the rules and that was the penalty.

Now the rules have changed and these are the new penalties.

Nonoperational

Use it as a very important lesson mate. You don't always get second chances with things like this.

kirving

robertxxx wrote: »

2kmph is a lot different than having alcohol in your system.

No it's not. Please explain, in detail, the difference between, say, a 2m increase in stopping distance caused by a) being 2kph over the speed limit, and b) being 2mg over the limit.

I'm not condoing drink-driving, but when you boil it down, there is no difference between it and speeding when either are the deciding factor in an accident. One is just more socially acceptable.

CiniO

rebecca 30 wrote: »

For less than your reading I got 3 year ban & €500 fine , so unfair

It must have been somewhere else than Ireland.

superscouse wrote: »

But at the time, you broke the rules and that was the penalty.

Now the rules have changed and these are the new penalties.

They have changed and rules are more strict now in general.

robertxxx

Kevin Irving wrote: »

No it's not. Please explain, in detail, the difference between, say, a 2m increase in stopping distance caused by a) being 2kph over the speed limit, and b) being 2mg over the limit.

I'm not condoing drink-driving, but when you boil it down, there is no difference between it and speeding when either are the deciding factor in an accident. One is just more socially acceptable.

That's some reply! If your 2mg over the limit an extra 2mtr stopping distance could be the least of your problems ie; come straight off the road without pressing brakes, fall asleep, somebody crashing into you then your breathalysed and are over the limit, responce time is the big factor, 2mg could have a huge effect on some people that's one of the reasons why the limit is set low.

cfc1888

Amatureday wrote: »

I was caught drink driving.

I was wondering what the timescale is between being caught and the driving ban/ court date etc?

(Throwaway account for obvious reasons.)

I feel ****ing terrible about the whole thing.
I thought I wouldn't get caught because it was in the middle of the countryside and I was only driving about 400 meters between a friends house and the place I was staying. Guard put on the blue lights just as I was pulling into the driveway. He breathalised me and brought me to the station where I gave a urine sample, then brought me back to where I was staying. I got the urine results about a week later 89mg. So I'm facing a ban, loss of job etc.
I can't concentrate at work or sleep at night because of the whole thing, and all this waiting in uncertainty wondering "Is today the day I get the ban in the post...." is making me go insane.

Feel so sorry for you.Good luck. Get in contact with the guard. Things can get erased.Trust me.

wonski

superscouse wrote: »

But is it not only illegal to drive when over the limit ? Are you suggesting no alcohol is a better limit? I respect the limits but I think you are unreasonable there.

It can be impossible sometimes to be zero. I work 6 days a week. I go to the pub on my way home on a friday and collect my van next day.

Should I be arrested if I have some alcohol in my system next day?

I have no problem with drink drive checkpoints but when the cops do them at 11am on a saturday morning, on the Tallaght bypass, what are they trying to do exactly.

How can somebody know what they have in their system at any time. Abstinance is one way, but for someone working like I do, I would be better joining the pioneers !

If someone is still over the limit at 11am, then he shouldn't be driving.
Gardai doing their job, nothing to complain really.

I do agree with you that zero limit is not practical, what it is now is more than enough to acomodate for some little traces from last night. Anyone being over current limit should leave the car wherever it is.

Interesting tough that some countries, including Russia and other ex-soviet countries have a limit of 0.00.

drunkmonkey

wonski wrote: »

Gardai doing their job, nothing to complain really.

The "SS" were only doing their Job. Doing your job is never an excuse to bring misery on people who haven't committed a crime against another person. We don't pay people on their potential neither should we arrest them on it.

After all that's been said in the thread and the different voices all expressed I went to the pub where there's a lack of Taxis and no public transport. The poster on the wall read "don't drink and drive we'll drive you home" and down at the very bottom of the poster was "On Week nights only".

wonski

drunkmonkey wrote: »

The "SS" were only doing their Job. Doing your job is never an excuse to bring misery on people who haven't committed a crime against another person. We don't pay people on their potential neither should we arrest them on it.

I don't agree with the whole post, but not sure what that part is about. And i wasn't drinking tonight...

Savman

Nothing brings out the resident church goers of boards like a good old driving offence admission, you can always bank on the finger wagging and tut-tutting brigade to make you feel considerably worse, OP.

I can't help with your dilemma unfortunately, the recent legislation made it very fuzzy indeed and sent out an extremely mixed message in that some DD offences are now Penalty Points and fines whereas it used to be automatic ban. So, so many variables tbh.

G'luck anyway, FWIW.

Terrontress

wonski wrote: »

If someone is still over the limit at 11am, then he shouldn't be driving.
Gardai doing their job, nothing to complain really.

I do agree with you that zero limit is not practical, what it is now is more than enough to acomodate for some little traces from last night. Anyone being over current limit should leave the car wherever it is.

Interesting tough that some countries, including Russia and other ex-soviet countries have a limit of 0.00.

At a limit of 0.00 you would be over the limit because alcohol occurs naturally in the body.

All the zero limit means is that the policeman makes a decision as to whether you have been drinking or not and prosecutes if he thinks you have.

It's interesting how people look to the law to guide them in what is and isn't safe. A change in the law overnight and someone goes from being within the law on a given day and breaking it the next. And the calls for him to be taken off the road and tales of killing children etc.

The law is just there to help the Gardai make a decision and smooth the process. It can't decide whether your behaviour is safe or not.

OldmanMondeo

superscouse wrote: »

But is it not only illegal to drive when over the limit ? Are you suggesting no alcohol is a better limit? I respect the limits but I think you are unreasonable there.

He might not be, but I think it should be. Lets face it, if that was the limits, then you know if you have a pint, your over the limit. Makes it clear to everyone, instead of this how much did I eat, what weight/height am I.

It can be impossible sometimes to be zero.

Edit: you right it is near impossible, but lowering to 10/20 per 100 is above what naturally ocours in the body and is checkable. It would also give the body a chance to recover from a few the night before., unless your on an all night bender.

I work 6 days a week. I go to the pub on my way home on a friday and collect my van next day.

At present, if your over the limit then yes.

I have no problem with drink drive checkpoints but when the cops do them at 11am on a saturday morning, on the Tallaght bypass, what are they trying to do exactly.

Catch drivers who are breaking the law, kinda part of their job.

How can somebody know what they have in their system at any time. Abstinance is one way, but for someone working like I do, I would be better joining the pioneers !

Arse, if you have a skin full the night before, good chance you over the limit.

You know you can buy the breath testers. If your than worried, invest in one or give up the beer.

OldmanMondeo

drunkmonkey wrote: »

The "SS" were only doing their Job. Doing your job is never an excuse to bring misery on people who haven't committed a crime against another person. We don't pay people on their potential neither should we arrest them on it.

I have seen it all now, comparing the Gardai to the SS, what planet are you on? A Gaurd stopping someone while they are driving drunk has possibly save lives, the SS would have shot the driver and his family and probably the whole town as well.

dudara

Amatureday wrote: »

I'm 5' 10" about 70 kg, and probably 5 drinks over 4 or five hours.
I have a full licence the last 3 years.

5 drinks and you still got behind the wheel of a car? Words can't express how I think about you right now.

Henry Ford III

drunkmonkey wrote: »

The "SS" were only doing their Job. Doing your job is never an excuse to bring misery on people who haven't committed a crime against another person. We don't pay people on their potential neither should we arrest them on it.

After all that's been said in the thread and the different voices all expressed I went to the pub where there's a lack of Taxis and no public transport. The poster on the wall read "don't drink and drive we'll drive you home" and down at the very bottom of the poster was "On Week nights only".

Are you suggesting driving over the limit is ok as long as you don't cause an accident, and that random breath tests are in some way unfair?

Bray Header

CiniO wrote: »

If you really really loved driving as you said, all the arguments you mentions are there only to justify youself, and you are trying to convince yourself that driving is not necessary.

I also love driving, and I wouldn't like to have to convince myself there nothing good about driving, and how wonderful life can be without driving.
No - it isn't. Live without driving must be very boring

Sorry I think you misunderstood my post. I am now legally allowed to drive. I have money in the bank to buy a car if I wish, but I'm seriously thinking "why bother". My previous job was software sales in Ireland, so I had to drive, and had to have a nice car. I still work in software sales; I'm based in Dublin, but travel to London to see my customers. When I'm in the UK, I rent a car if necessary.

And if you think that life without driving is boring, then that says an awful lot more about the quality of your life than mine, if driving is the most exciting thing you do.

galwaytt

Bray Header wrote: »

And if you think that life without driving is boring, then that says an awful lot more about the quality of your life than mine, if driving is the most exciting thing you do.

.....Er, this is the Motors forum, right... ?

....there again, I don't drink.

....I think my Quality of Life doesn't warrant alcohol to make it "exciting". Says more about yours, tbh. ....

Bray Header

I'm really not going to get into a ding dong. Too tired, plus want to focus on Liverpool match.

What I will say, is that i never once said, implicitly or explicitly that alcohol makes my life more exciting.

If sitting in a car on a Monday morning, in traffic, in the rain is exciting for you, then that's cool. Whatever floats your boat.

Have a good Sunday.

CiniO

Terrontress wrote: »

At a limit of 0.00 you would be over the limit because alcohol occurs naturally in the body.

All the zero limit means is that the policeman makes a decision as to whether you have been drinking or not and prosecutes if he thinks you have.

Not true.
I reckon I was brethylized over 100 times in my life, and result which device showed was alwasy 0.
Those devices can be quite precise, as I remember once my friend was brethylised (i was passenger). He was drinking the night before, but though he was completely sober. Result was 4mg (of alcohol per 100ml blood) while current limit in Ireland is 50mg.
So even a small amounts of alcohol can be detected if they are there, but naturally there isn't any.

CiniO

Bray Header wrote: »

Sorry I think you misunderstood my post. I am now legally allowed to drive. I have money in the bank to buy a car if I wish, but I'm seriously thinking "why bother". My previous job was software sales in Ireland, so I had to drive, and had to have a nice car. I still work in software sales; I'm based in Dublin, but travel to London to see my customers. When I'm in the UK, I rent a car if necessary.

And if you think that life without driving is boring, then that says an awful lot more about the quality of your life than mine, if driving is the most exciting thing you do.

That's exactly what I mean.
Drink driving put you off the road for a while, and now you discovered that you don't really need a car. You are saving money because of that and you are happy. Fair enough.

But if you really loved driving (like I do) you wouldn't be able to make such a change like that.

Wils110

I was tested taken to the station whizzed in the jar for a doctor I was 61 mg per 100mg if I was over 67 I woulda being charged heard nothing more of it that was 2 pints

But as said before as long as you weren't ridiculously over the limit its fine and points on the licence

CiniO

Wils110 wrote: »

I was tested taken to the station whizzed in the jar for a doctor I was 61 mg per 100mg if I was over 67 I woulda being charged heard nothing more of it that was 2 pints

But as said before as long as you weren't ridiculously over the limit its fine and points on the licence

I think you meant 61mg per 100ml of urine.
If it was 61mg per 100mg (whatever is was, urine, blood, whatever) that would mean 61%. That's more than pure whiskey.
If you had 61% alcohol in your blood or urine, you wouldn't be with us anymore


Anyway verdict from your post is straight - after 2 pints, you are just on the border of the limit, so you never know if caught are you actually going to be over or under.
Therefore 1 pint seems to be safe amount for you.

M cebee

CiniO wrote: »

I think you meant 61mg per 100ml of urine.
If it was 61mg per 100mg (whatever is was, urine, blood, whatever) that would mean 61%. That's more than pure whiskey.
If you had 61% alcohol in your blood or urine, you wouldn't be with us anymore


Anyway verdict from your post is straight - after 2 pints, you are just on the border of the limit, so you never know if caught are you actually going to be over or under.
Therefore 1 pint seems to be safe amount for you.

it depends on the person
i heard of lads passing the old breathalyzer after 7 or 8 pints

M cebee

CiniO wrote: »

Not true.
I reckon I was brethylized over 100 times in my life, and result which device showed was alwasy 0.
Those devices can be quite precise, as I remember once my friend was brethylised (i was passenger). He was drinking the night before, but though he was completely sober. Result was 4mg (of alcohol per 100ml blood) while current limit in Ireland is 50mg.
So even a small amounts of alcohol can be detected if they are there, but naturally there isn't any.

are you driving in mayo? and been breathalyzed 100 times

i'm driving here 25yrs and never been bagged

CiniO

M cebee wrote: »

it depends on the person
i heard of lads passing the old breathalyzer after 7 or 8 pints

Yeap, provided they drank it the day before.

M cebee

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2194220/Campaigners-slam-legal-pill-lets-drink-pints-beer-pass-breathalyser-test.html

wonder is there many drivers taking these

CiniO

M cebee wrote: »

are you driving in mayo? and been breathalyzed 100 times

i'm driving here 25yrs and never been bagged

In Mayo me neither.
I was breathalyzed only once in Ireland ever and it wasn't in Mayo.