A Guide To American Law Enforcement and Personal Security

[Claire L]

. Over here you can have a pint or two and I think you are okay to drive. I don't drink and drive at all but hubbie may on occasion have a pint or two after work but this is this country.

To be honest you shouldn't really 'risk' any amount of alcohol if driving even in this country.

Claire

 

[Claire L]

I remember when I first went to the states in 1982 driving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles some of the roads said 'Patrolled by Aircraft' Less easy to perform a casual speeding stop.

We will be in the area from 2nd August until 20th and on site from 13th, I will look out for you Bill, if I see you do you prefer to be called Kiltie or Bill? (William is my son's name also).

This thread is from last year so not sure if KY is there in August this year.

Claire

 

[Claire L]

In fact the drink drive limit for the US is the same as here -

Worldwide drink drive limits.

Claire

 

[Andy B]

Ok I didn't realise that this started last year, the dates on the last couple of posts are recent.

On Wikipedia it shows the Blood alcohol level for DUI conviction in the USA as the sama as this country, I am not so sure as I thought their levels were lower and that they may have variation State by State.

 

[Claire L]

Andy I have read BAC is lower for younger driver but was also until a year or so ago under the impression US d/d levels were lower but it doesn't appear so. Even with two pints of lager some people will be very close to the legal limits.

Claire

 

[Andy B]

To be honest you shouldn't really 'risk' any amount of alcohol if driving even in this country.

Claire

There are some people who shouldn't risk driving at all! Last weekend I was driving in Yorkshire and a car pulled out of a driveway on the other side road to the side I was driving on but pulled right over my side before returing to the correct side. I had to come to a near standstill to avoid them, as they passed me I saw a hand raised in appology and then say a little old lady at least 80yrs just visible above the dashboard. She may not have many accidents but may cause many.

 

[Andy B]

Andy I have read BAC is lower for younger driver but was also until a year or so ago under the impression US d/d levels were lower but it doesn't appear so. Even with two pints of lager some people will be very close to the legal limits.

Claire

I though the US limit was lower but cannot find anything to back it up. Some countries have lower limits for younger drivers ie under 21 but as drinking is not legal under 21 in the US then that wont be an issue.

We all know how different people react differently to alcohol, but there are many reasons for impared driving. I am concerned about the number of people who drive from the airport home after a night flight back to the UK, I am sure I am not the only person who finds it difficult to sleep on a plane.

The Limits have to be put somewhere for DD and I was quite surprised how many drinks were consumed to get the presenters of Mythbusters over the limit for one of their tests.

 

[Claire L]

Florida is also 0.08%.

Some states you can drink under the age of 21 if the alcohol is given to you by a parent/guardian. Although Florida I believe is 21 regardless, there is a limit of 0.02% of BAC for a driver under 21.

Claire

 

[lisaj]

Thanks for the information.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

For most people you can have 2 drinks and remain under .08 blood alcohol level. It's that third drink that can put you over. Again, I say for most people.

If you're staying on Disney property and drinking on Disney property you can take advantage of the great free bus service to all the resorts. Otherwise, a "designated driver" who isn't drinking is the way to go!

BobK/Orlando

 

[wicket2005]

To assume you are 'OK' to drive after a pint or two is a bit risky. Your body absorbes alcohol at different rates depending on what you have eaten etc.
You could well be over the limit after just one pint - or at the very least your reaction, judgement may be comprimised.

I certainly wouldn't risk it, either in the UK or the US - if I'm driving, I don't drink

I quite agree, it isn't something I have ever done because I believe quite strongly that there should be a no alcohol law when driving. My husband doesn't which makes him sound like he is swigging beer then getting behind the wheel, this is blatantly not so. He just on an odd occasion had a couple of beers and as I said in my original post he only had a drink at Sea World. I know that it takes 1 unit 1 hour to be worked through the liver so technically the alcohol may have left his system by the time we leave the park. I was not happy about him having the free beer and was hoping there was a law that made it illegal for him to drink anything and drive.

 

[wicket2005]

To be honest you shouldn't really 'risk' any amount of alcohol if driving even in this country.

Claire

Oh I quite agree and most strongly so, as I said in my original post it was my hubbie who had 2 glasses of the beer at Sea World. I wasn't happy about him having it and wanted to at least find out if it was legal for him to do so. I never drink and drive, it is one of my principles.

 

[wicket2005]

For most people you can have 2 drinks and remain under .08 blood alcohol level. It's that third drink that can put you over. Again, I say for most people.

If you're staying on Disney property and drinking on Disney property you can take advantage of the great free bus service to all the resorts. Otherwise, a "designated driver" who isn't drinking is the way to go!

BobK/Orlando

Thank you for clarifying the situation. Again I quite agree that alcohol and driving do not mix. I will be steering my hubbie from the free beer section at Sea World this year. Unfortunately, I am not brave enough to drive in your country otherwise I would drive and do drive if hubbie has a drink at home.

 

[Kilted_Yank]

The khaki and black patrol cars referred to belong to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Thanks, Bob

 

[disneyholic family]

Florida is also 0.08%.

Some states you can drink under the age of 21 if the alcohol is given to you by a parent/guardian. Although Florida I believe is 21 regardless, there is a limit of 0.02% of BAC for a driver under 21.

Claire

No, Florida is one of the states that doesn't prohibit consumption under the age of 21, only purchase.

 

[paulh]

No, Florida is one of the states that doesn't prohibit consumption under the age of 21, only purchase.

Florida
- No one under the age of 21 is allowed to consume or posses alcohol. But interestingly you can taste (can't consume) an alcoholic beverage if it is required of a class in a postsecondary educational institution (college) but only if you're at least 18 years of age. It's illegal to drive a motor vehicle with a BAC of .02 or higher if under the age of 21. For anyone 21 years of age or older may not drive if they have a BAC of .08 or higher
Paulh

 

[disneyholic family]

Florida
- No one under the age of 21 is allowed to consume or posses alcohol. But interestingly you can taste (can't consume) an alcoholic beverage if it is required of a class in a postsecondary educational institution (college) but only if you're at least 18 years of age. It's illegal to drive a motor vehicle with a BAC of .02 or higher if under the age of 21. For anyone 21 years of age or older may not drive if they have a BAC of .08 or higher
Paulh

No Paul. Every state is different.
http://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/index.asp?Type=BAS_APIS&SEC={0D5C719E-FCE8-4E15-A367-4145C655505F}&DE={E6F19624-0ADC-437F-917D-5E7CBC9F58B9}
Go to this link and you'll see that in Florida the consumption of alcohol under the age of 21 is NOT prohibited (all the green states - no prohibition of consumption).
in all states, purchase is prohibited due to the federal statute, but every state is different regarding the illegality of consumption/possession.

 

[paulh]

disneyholic family the drinking/buying alcohol age in florida is 21,no were in ther statues mension that parents can buy 18 + drinks.So where do you get that 18+ can drink unless on a collage course?if you can show me statute it will be benifical to our eldest(18) in august
Paulh

 

[disneyholic family]

disneyholic family the drinking/buying alcohol age in florida is 21,no were in ther statues mension that parents can buy 18 + drinks.So where do you get that 18+ can drink unless on a collage course?if you can show me statute it will be benifical to our eldest(18) in august
Paulh

it's not permitted in a licensed establishment.
Which means you cannot buy it for your child and let him drink it in the licensed establishmen (i.e., a restaurant with a liquor license).
However, you could if it's not a licensed establishment (but then they wouldn't be able to sell to you either - catch 22).

The point is, if your child walks around with alcohol and consumes it, as long as it isn't in a licensed establishment, it's not illegal. But it is illegal if he buys it.
Confused? American laws can be very confusing. And illogical. Especially when you go state to state. (e.g., you cannot buy alcoholic beverages anywhere in the state of michigan on sundays before 12:00 noon --- which is a change from the prior law, which prohibited it entirely on sundays).

 

[Claire L]

According to everything I have read you have to be 21 fullstop no if's or but's.

Florida State statutes re drinking.

Claire