Drink driving-virtue signaling gone mad

TheChizler

Emiliano Many Cardinal wrote: »

Why are people so confident that an accurate breathalyzer can’t be bought by a consumer? They are a fairly simple device and no reason you can have a very accurate reading from one you buy yourself.

Sure what would be the point in the French rule of having to carry one if they are so wildly inaccurate?

It's not saying that they don't exist, it's being confident that the one you have in your hand as you blow it is calibrated accurately then and there. Even the ones the Gardaí have can't be relied on for evidence and they cost multiples of the Halfords one and are regularly calibrated, that says a lot.

alan partridge aha

Sure even if my expensive device is within +/- 10% of the machine at the station I should still be grand.

Killinator

alan partridge aha wrote: »

Sure even if my expensive device is within +/- 10% of the machine at the station I should still be grand.

But the process of getting arrested and brought to station can be extremely upsetting and embarrassing which is still what happens if you fail the roadside test, so yeah passing the evidenzer is fine but it'll still ruin your day/night

Effects

Killinator wrote: »

But the process of getting arrested and brought to station can be extremely upsetting and embarrassing which is still what happens if you fail the roadside test, so yeah passing the evidenzer is fine but it'll still ruin your day/night

You'd be worse off, and more embarrassed if you failed both though

alan partridge aha

Killinator wrote: »

But the process of getting arrested and brought to station can be extremely upsetting and embarrassing which is still what happens if you fail the roadside test, so yeah passing the evidenzer is fine but it'll still ruin your day/night

I neither be upset or embarrassed, I'd be pissed off that my device was reading different than the gardai roadside one.

rizzodun

alan partridge aha wrote: »

Bought a alcohol tester in Halfords for over €120. More accurate than the Gardai use I was told. Had 5 pints of Guinness beteen 8-10:30. Got a sandwich when I came home as I had not eaten since around 2pm.

Measured myself at 11:30 and was 0.62 which is over as limit is 0.5. By 1am I was 0.5 which is ok. Read myself again at 7am and device registered 0.11 or 0 alcohol. It doesn't register below 0.11.

Fools and their money eh?

rizzodun

rizzodun wrote: »

Fools and their money eh?

What’s wrong with a person wanting to know if they are under/over the limit?

Not everyone has the time or inclination to often needlessly hang around for hours and hours or even a day after a few drinks/night out and being able to test yourself and make know when you are under the limit so that you can drive is very very useful.

hynesie08

Emiliano Many Cardinal wrote: »

What’s wrong with a person wanting to know if they are under/over the limit?

If only there was some way to Guarentee you were under the limit without needing a breathalyser........


If only....

rizzodun

Emiliano Many Cardinal wrote: »

What’s wrong with a person wanting to know if they are under/over the limit?

Not everyone has the time or inclination to often needlessly hang around for hours and hours or even a day after a few drinks/night out and being able to test yourself and make know when you are under the limit so that you can drive is very very useful.

I agree 100%

I don't have the time to needlessly hang around for hours after a night out.

So I either:
A. Don't drink
B. Don't plan anything that requires me to drive a car at any stage where I may be over the limit.

The fact people think they need drink to enjoy themselves so much that they'll put faith in a 120 quid over the counter breath tester is madness if you ask me.

Killinator

alan partridge aha wrote: »

I neither be upset or embarrassed, I'd be pissed off that my device was reading different than the gardai roadside one.

Fair enough

Tell me how

hynesie08 wrote: »

If only there was some way to Guarentee you were under the limit without needing a breathalyser........


If only....

It's very simplistic to say either 'never drink' or 'wait 24 hours until you drive'.

Most people recognize that without wanting someone to give them the authority to drink and drive. And, if you're going to say 'if you have any doubt, then you're too drunk to drive' then remember that many people were convinced that they were below the limit whether of an evening or the morning after, they felt fine, but found that they were over.

runawaybishop

Emiliano Many Cardinal wrote: »

What’s wrong with a person wanting to know if they are under/over the limit?

Not everyone has the time or inclination to often needlessly hang around for hours and hours or even a day after a few drinks/night out and being able to test yourself and make know when you are under the limit so that you can drive is very very useful.

It's Halfords. They typically sell overpriced ****e.

hynesie08

hynesie08 wrote: »

If only there was some way to Guarentee you were under the limit without needing a breathalyser........


If only....

Why should a person have to not drink if they can ensure they are under the limit before driving? I certainly don't see "not drinking" as an option as drinking is too much a part of my social life and I also don't have the time or desire to just not drive "incase" so the obvious solution is to be able to test yourself.

The misplaced hyphen in the thread title is giving me a migraine.

D3V!L

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

The misplaced hyphen in the thread title is giving me a migraine.

Thanks ! Now I can't-un see it

hynesie08

Emiliano Many Cardinal wrote: »

Why should a person have to not drink if they can ensure they are under the limit before driving? I certainly don't see "not drinking" as an option as drinking is too much a part of my social life and I also don't have the time or desire to just not drive "incase" so the obvious solution is to be able to test yourself.

Says it all really......

alan partridge aha

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AlcoSense-Breathalyzer-Alcohol-Tester-Breathalyser-x/dp/B01MFCPD9D

This is the device, I have faith in this.

alan partridge aha

Emiliano Many Cardinal wrote: »

Why should a person have to not drink if they can ensure they are under the limit before driving? I certainly don't see "not drinking" as an option as drinking is too much a part of my social life and I also don't have the time or desire to just not drive "incase" so the obvious solution is to be able to test yourself.

Absolutely the limit is there, if you are below it happy days.

Huntergonzo

I don't see the problem with having 3-4 pints and then taking to the wheel, I'm a big lad and can easily handle that but I don't do it because it's not worth the risk.

It's a shame that a few idiots take to the wheel bananas drunk and cause these horrible accidents but to lump everybody into the same boat is not right either.

Effects

Huntergonzo wrote: »

I don't see the problem with having 3-4 pints and then taking to the wheel, I'm a big lad and can easily handle that but I don't do it because it's not worth the risk.

It's a shame that a few idiots take to the wheel bananas drunk and cause these horrible accidents but to lump everybody into the same boat is not right either.

It's also idiots like you who cause these accidents. Drinking four pints and thinking it doesn't affect your reaction time, just because you're a "big lad".

Huntergonzo

Effects wrote: »

It's also idiots like you who cause these accidents. Drinking four pints and thinking it doesn't affect your reaction time, just because you're a "big lad".

Just said I don't drink and drive and I've never caused a crash in my life so you owe me an apology.

I enjoy a few pints, but I would never risk my licence for any number of drinks, it's not worth that much to me.

HappyAsLarE

I find it’s a very emotive topic and people tend to disregard logic and probability when discussing it.

I am technically more likely to cause an accident by scratching my balls or putting on sun glasses, personally I feel driving with 2-3 pints would increase the chance of an accident about the same.

If you are such a bad driver that 2 pints makes you a dead cert murderous missile on wheels well, I dunno...

Effects

Huntergonzo wrote: »

Just said I don't drink and drive and I've never caused a crash in my life so you owe me an apology.

I enjoy a few pints, but I would never risk my licence for any number of drinks, it's not worth that much to me.

How do you figure I owe you an apology? You pretty much said it's ok to drink four pints and then drive.

Perhaps you should apologise to me? I won't accept your apology, but you can make one anyway.

Huntergonzo

Effects wrote: »

How do you figure I owe you an apology? You pretty much said it's ok to drink four pints and then drive.

Perhaps you should apologise to me? I won't accept your apology, but you can make one anyway.

That's a strange way of saying sorry Effects, but it's ok I forgive you anyway, I'm cool like that.

TheChizler

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

I find it’s a very emotive topic and people tend to disregard logic and probability when discussing it.

I am technically more likely to cause an accident by scratching my balls or putting on sun glasses, personally I feel driving with 2-3 pints would increase the chance of an accident about the same.

If you are such a bad driver that 2 pints makes you a dead cert murderous missile on wheels well, I dunno...

You're right, they tend to disregard well established facts and proven statistics and value their gut feelings above all else in order to justify those few extra pints or not taking a safer form of transport when they've had a few.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

I find it’s a very emotive topic and people tend to disregard logic and probability when discussing it.

I am technically more likely to cause an accident by scratching my balls or putting on sun glasses, personally I feel driving with 2-3 pints would increase the chance of an accident about the same.

If you are such a bad driver that 2 pints makes you a dead cert murderous missile on wheels well, I dunno...

Another thing that I think contributes to accidents - overconfident drivers. So many people overestimate their abilities. The bolded is scary - “I’m such a good driver, alcohol doesn’t impair me”.

And why do people engage in whataboutery? Yes, talking on your phone or whatever whilst driving is also dangerous. And?

HappyAsLarE

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts wrote: »

Another thing that I think contributes to accidents - overconfident drivers. So many people overestimate their abilities. The bolded is scary - “I’m such a good driver, alcohol doesn’t impair me”.

And why do people engage in whataboutery? Yes, talking on your phone or whatever whilst driving is also dangerous. And?

A little alcohol doesn’t impair me to make me a killing machine is more accurate! Like I said, people get emotional.

How is whataboutery to compare relative probabilities of various activities?

For the record, I have never touched a drop and drove because I can’t lose my licence.

HappyAsLarE

TheChizler wrote: »

You're right, they tend to disregard well established facts and proven statistics and value their gut feelings above all else in order to justify those few extra pints or not taking a safer form of transport when they've had a few.

Give me one fact or statistic and I will give you a non-emotional appraisal.

Huntergonzo

https://alcoholireland.ie/facts/alcohol-and-driving/

Just another interesting thing to note.

According to Alcohol Ireland, alcohol was present in 38% of road fatalities, this means that at least 62% of fatalities were caused by sober drivers.

Were need to stop these bloody sober drivers quick!

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts wrote: »

Another thing that I think contributes to accidents - overconfident drivers. So many people overestimate their abilities. The bolded is scary - “I’m such a good driver, alcohol doesn’t impair me”.

And why do people engage in whataboutery? Yes, talking on your phone or whatever whilst driving is also dangerous. And?

If you can’t drive a car safely after 2 pints then you can’t drive in the first place imo and shouldn’t be on the road.

Huntergonzo wrote: »

https://alcoholireland.ie/facts/alcohol-and-driving/

Just another interesting thing to note.

According to Alcohol Ireland, alcohol was present in 38% of road fatalities, this means that at least 62% of fatalities were caused by sober drivers.

Were need to stop these bloody sober drivers quick!

Most of the 38% being pedestrians who got ran over.

mistersifter

Huntergonzo wrote: »

Just said I don't drink and drive and I've never caused a crash in my life so you owe me an apology.

I enjoy a few pints, but I would never risk my licence for any number of drinks, it's not worth that much to me.

Dont worry about risking the lives of others or anything - just your licence!!

Huntergonzo

mistersifter wrote: »

Dont worry about risking the lives of others or anything - just your licence!!

Well ye, if I lose my licence then I'll lose my job and then I'll be on the dole which will risk other people's lives because I'll be taking public money that could be better used elsewhere.

So by protecting my licence I am protecting others, you're welcome.

mistersifter

Huntergonzo wrote: »

Well ye, if I lose my licence then I'll lose my job and then I'll be on the dole which will risk other people's lives because I'll be taking public money that could be better used elsewhere.

So by protecting my licence I am protecting others, you're welcome.

Are you drinking now? I hope so.

Huntergonzo

mistersifter wrote: »

Are you drinking now? I hope so.

If I lose my licence, then I lose my job which negatively effects others, simples.

Are you having difficulty with anything else? I'm more than happy to assist if you are.

mistersifter

Huntergonzo wrote: »

If I lose my licence, then I lose my job which negatively effects others, simples.

Are you having difficulty with anything else? I'm more than happy to assist if you are.

Could you shed any light on how you've managed to become such an unfathomable gob****e?

D'ya reckon it's biologically determined or can we put this one down to your upbringing?

Huntergonzo

mistersifter wrote: »

Could you shed any light on how you've managed to become such an unfathomable gob****e?

D'ya reckon it's biologically determined or can we put this one down to your upbringing?

Ah I don't know much about biology I'm afraid, save for the fact that I can consume 4 pints and still feel 100%, that's kind of biology.

I had quite a nice upbringing actually, on a farm, I was always taught to have manners and respect to.

But enough about little ole me. How bout you? Do you like a drink?

recedite

Emiliano Many Cardinal wrote: »

Just another interesting thing to note.
According to Alcohol Ireland, alcohol was present in 38% of road fatalities, this means that at least 62% of fatalities were caused by sober drivers.

Most of the 38% being pedestrians who got ran over.

Eh...no. That 62% means neither the driver nor anyone else involved had taken any alcohol.
Of the 38%, a good few of them would have been pedestrians walking home from the pub because they didn't want to risk losing their license. Might have been walking home in a very safe manner too, and just got hit by someone who wasn't watching the road properly. Still counts as "alcohol involved" though.

Huntergonzo

recedite wrote: »

Eh...no. That 62% means neither the driver nor anyone else involved had taken any alcohol.
Of the 38%, a good few of them would have been pedestrians walking home from the pub because they didn't want to risk losing their license. Might have been walking home in a very safe manner too, and just got hit by someone who wasn't watching the road properly. Still counts as "alcohol involved" though.

But this is the thing, apparenlty alcohol was present in 38% of cases. Now even if we take that figure to be true, how do we know that alcohol actually caused those accidents? In a certain amount of crashes it may just be incidental.

A certain percent could have easily been caused by a sober driver hitting someone who had 1 or 2 pints. Who gets the blame in that instance?

Ps, under no circumstances do I condon anybody taking to the wheel blind drunk though, that's highly dangerous for obvious reasons.

recedite

recedite wrote: »

Eh...no. That 62% means neither the driver nor anyone else involved had taken any alcohol.
Of the 38%, a good few of them would have been pedestrians walking home from the pub because they didn't want to risk losing their license. Might have been walking home in a very safe manner too, and just got hit by someone who wasn't watching the road properly. Still counts as "alcohol involved" though.

Not sure if you are misinterpreting my post. The stat says 38% of fatal crashes has alcohol present (they don’t even say it was to blame), it that 38% a lot will have been pedestrians and not drivers with drink so the stat for drives with alcohol taken involved in a fatal crash will be a lot lower and of those the ones where alcohol was to blame will be smaller again.

recedite

Emiliano Many Cardinal wrote: »

Not sure if you are misinterpreting my post. The stat says 38% of fatal crashes has alcohol present (they don’t even say it was to blame), it that 38% a lot will have been pedestrians and not drivers with drink so the stat for drives with alcohol taken involved in a fatal crash will be a lot lower and of those the ones where alcohol was to blame will be smaller again.

Sorry, yes, I picked you up wrong there. I agree with you on that.

Huntergonzo

Huntergonzo wrote: »

Ah I don't know much about biology I'm afraid, save for the fact that I can consume 4 pints and still feel 100%, that's kind of biology.

Except it isn't. You are not going to be at 100% alertness after 4 pints, and neither is anywhere else.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Except it isn't. You are not going to be at 100% alertness after 4 pints, and neither is anywhere else.

or after a bad nights sleep, or after an argument or if sick etc etc etc many leaving you in worse state of poor alertness than 4 pints. I've driven while tied and I driven after various numbers of pints and tiredness, proper tiredness that you often hear people drive with (how often do you hear: "god I could hardly keep my eyes open drivig back last night") is miles worse than 4 pints (even more). After the few pints you are fully awake and most likley being extra cautious.

sasta le

Emiliano Many Cardinal wrote: »

or after a bad nights sleep, or after an argument or if sick etc etc etc many leaving you in worse state of poor alertness than 4 pints. I've driven while tied and I driven after various numbers of pints and tiredness, proper tiredness that you often hear people drive with (how often do you hear: "god I could hardly keep my eyes open drivig back last night") is miles worse than 4 pints (even more). After the few pints you are fully awake and most likley being extra cautious.

How many pints do you drive with?

Huntergonzo

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Except it isn't. You are not going to be at 100% alertness after 4 pints, and neither is anywhere else.

Look I know myself better than you do, so I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree.

sasta le

sasta le wrote: »

How many pints do you drive with?

I wouldn’t chance more than 2 anymore with the new limits, 3 on the old limits wouldn’t have bothered me. On a very rare occasion and not a for a long time I drove after a large number of pints I wouldn’t do it now.

To be honest I’ve Probably been over the next morning vastly more than after drinking as being over the next morning wasn’t even something that would enter your head until the last few years.

sasta le

Unfortunately this attitude still exists

alan partridge aha

I find the alco tester gives you great piece of mind in the mornings.

If I had to drive in the morning and tested myself and was over I wouldn't drive until I was under.

recedite

Deleted User wrote: »

Except it isn't. You are not going to be at 100% alertness after 4 pints, and neither is anywhere else.

No, but you don't need 100% to be a safe driver.
Between the overtired drivers, the ones with kids fighting in the back, the speeding ones, the half blind ones etc.. you're probably a better than average driver even at 80% alertness, if taking it handy on the roads you know well.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

A little alcohol doesn’t impair me to make me a killing machine is more accurate! Like I said, people get emotional.

How is whataboutery to compare relative probabilities of various activities?

For the record, I have never touched a drop and drove because I can’t lose my licence.

So you can’t test your “bad driver” theory? How convenient. Talk is cheap.

Emiliano Many Cardinal wrote: »

If you can’t drive a car safely after 2 pints then you can’t drive in the first place imo and shouldn’t be on the road.

Sure thing, bud.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts

Huntergonzo wrote: »

https://alcoholireland.ie/facts/alcohol-and-driving/

Just another interesting thing to note.

According to Alcohol Ireland, alcohol was present in 38% of road fatalities, this means that at least 62% of fatalities were caused by sober drivers.

Were need to stop these bloody sober drivers quick!

Considering all the different things that can cause accidents, 38% is pretty high. That’s a persuasive statistic in support of strict drink-driving laws, not against it. Of course other things also cause accidents. What do you suggest we do to penalise those who fall asleep at the wheel? My point being, not every cause of a car crash can be detected but we should catch the things that can be caught.