Anyone been convicted of DUI after only one drink?

[jodifla]

I think the numbers show most drunk drivers were alone, but what about the others?

I know I don't drink and drive because most of the time I have people with me after a night out. I'm usually the sober one with a car full of people who have no business driving. I can't imagine making the choice to drive after drinking and puting the people I care about at risk.

Well, how about dating? So much for sharing the romantic bottle of wine....

When I was young, we went out in groups. Now mostly, it's just DH and myself.

 

[jodifla]

Why don't the states just decide to make driving after ANY drinking illegal? That would clear up a lot of confusion. Of course a lot of restaurants would suffer, but wouldn't it make the roads a lot safer?

And yes, I do drive after having one or two drinks. I assume I'm under the limit, but who really knows. Until they change the law I won't stop because it's legal. My DH and his friend had some burgers and beers at a sports bar. They each had 2 beers and drove home. His friend was pulled over (for rolling a stop sign) and blew a .07. The officer told them they better call a taxi and leave their car there.

Restaurants would suffer, and most bars would close, and lots of people would lose jobs....

 

[jodifla]

ughhh, I just lost my response!!
If they make it illegal after any alcohol how about:

putting on makeup
eating
reading a paper/book
headphones
and snow birds - they are far more dangerous than someone who has had a glass of wine or beer......I mean, how great do you think an 80 year old's reaction time is?

For me personally, the most distracting thing is having another person in the car, I find. Conversations divert my attention from the road.

DS is quite quiet in the car, so he's not too much of a distraction -- yet.

 

[WDW LOVR]

ughhh, I just lost my response!!
If they make it illegal after any alcohol how about:

putting on makeup
eating
reading a paper/book
headphones
and snow birds - they are far more dangerous than someone who has had a glass of wine or beer......I mean, how great do you think an 80 year old's reaction time is?

I totally agree. I recently observed a man reading a book on an interstate going probably 10-15 mph below the posted speed limit. Talk about dangerous. There is also an elderly gentleman in my hometown that still drives and, no lie, I can run faster than he drives. Now if he ever has an accident it probably wouldn't hurt anyone, but when I'm driving the legal speed limit (say 35 mph) and I come upon him and he's going (and this isn't an exaggeration) between 5 and 10 mph it almost causes accidents.

One other thing I find disturbing is in my town I've read many times in the docket that people are arrested for being drunk walking or riding a bike home. Shouldn't we applaud them for not getting behind the wheel of a car? This seems to me you're almost encouraging someone to take a chance behind the wheel because you're not as conspicuous.

 

[jodifla]

I totally agree. I recently observed a man reading a book on an interstate going probably 10-15 mph below the posted speed limit. Talk about dangerous. There is also an elderly gentleman in my hometown that still drives and, no lie, I can run faster than he drives. Now if he ever has an accident it probably wouldn't hurt anyone, but when I'm driving the legal speed limit (say 35 mph) and I come upon him and he's going (and this isn't an exaggeration) between 5 and 10 mph it almost causes accidents.

One other thing I find disturbing is in my town I've read many times in the docket that people are arrested for being drunk walking or riding a bike home. Shouldn't we applaud them for not getting behind the wheel of a car? This seems to me you're almost encouraging someone to take a chance behind the wheel because you're not as conspicuous.

Is that a DUI charge, or another charge?

 

[WIcruizer]

I know I don't drink and drive because most of the time I have people with me after a night out. I'm usually the sober one with a car full of people who have no business driving. I can't imagine making the choice to drive after drinking and puting the people I care about at risk

I drive my entire family after I've been drinking. For that matter, I've driven plenty of other children after drinking. Of the horror!!! lol In all cases, the parents were well aware of it, and had no problem with it. For that matter, other parents have driven our kids after drinking.

Those of you opposed to these legal activities refuse to address the points being made. There are hundreds of dangerous activities that take place behind the wheel, and driving after a couple beers is WAY down that list.

 

[WIcruizer]

Is that a DUI charge, or another charge?

Used to be called "public drunkenness" but it may just be the catch all disorderly conduct now. They gave those tickets away like candy back in college.

 

[WDW LOVR]

Is that a DUI charge, or another charge?

I think they end up charging the bike riders with DUI and the walkers with public intox. Don't get me wrong, I can imagine there are some people walking that are totally falling down drunk, but it seems we should at least cut them a break if they aren't getting behind the wheel.

 

[Froggyswife]

I disagree. I drive all the time after having a drink, even several drinks. Studies have shown driving when stressed, upset, depressed, tired, etc. or poor weather conditions, cell phones, all kinds of things are just as hazardous if not MORE hazardous than driving with a .025 BOC.

I'll keep drinking and driving, it is perfectly safe. Or at least as safe as driving under any other set of conditions.

You will feel diferently if you see the pics of my dh from his accident with a drunk driver!

 

[cats7494]

I drive my entire family after I've been drinking. For that matter, I've driven plenty of other children after drinking. Of the horror!!! lol In all cases, the parents were well aware of it, and had no problem with it. For that matter, other parents have driven our kids after drinking.

Those of you opposed to these legal activities refuse to address the points being made. There are hundreds of dangerous activities that take place behind the wheel, and driving after a couple beers is WAY down that list.

You sure as heck would not be driving my child!

 

[C.Ann]

I drive my entire family after I've been drinking. For that matter, I've driven plenty of other children after drinking. Of the horror!!! lol In all cases, the parents were well aware of it, and had no problem with it. For that matter, other parents have driven our kids after drinking.

.

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There's something very wrong with an individual that would behave in this manner.. You might want to see a counselor to find out why you hold so little regard for the lives of not only your own family members, but the children of others as well.. Your behavior and attitude is extremely dangerous and one day you will undoubtedly pay dearly for it - as will some other poor innocent family..

As for the "other" parents - obviously they are just as irresponsible as you are.. What a sad bunch of people...

 

[Froggyswife]

I drive my entire family after I've been drinking. For that matter, I've driven plenty of other children after drinking. Of the horror!!! lol In all cases, the parents were well aware of it, and had no problem with it. For that matter, other parents have driven our kids after drinking.

Those of you opposed to these legal activities refuse to address the points being made. There are hundreds of dangerous activities that take place behind the wheel, and driving after a couple beers is WAY down that list.

I feel sorry for your family if you don't give their safety any better consideration than that.

I agree there are other activities that take place behind the wheel but driving after a couple of beers ISN'T way down the list otherwise it wouldn't be ILLEAGAL

 

[lillygator]

That's just it....driving after a couple of beers is not illegal - it only becomes illegal if you blow a .08 - in my state, right? So me having a glass of wine at dinner and then driving is in no way illegal, unless of course I am under 21.

 

[lillygator]

and I do know here, in Siesta Key/Sarasota they give out plenty of "DUI"'s to people on bikes...when you are within walking distance from the beach and bars...I am afraid many of those bikers are repeat offenders who have had their license taken away.

 

[Chicago526]

One other thing I find disturbing is in my town I've read many times in the docket that people are arrested for being drunk walking or riding a bike home. Shouldn't we applaud them for not getting behind the wheel of a car? This seems to me you're almost encouraging someone to take a chance behind the wheel because you're not as conspicuous.

This happened to my DH (long before I met him, though)!

He got drunk at a bar. He walked out to his car, stood next to the door, and thought "nah, better not". He turns and begins to walk home, about 10 blocks away or so. Halfway home, a cop stops him (he was obviously impaired), and asks him what's going on. DH tells the cop that he's too drunk to drive and is walking home. He's very nice and polite (DH is not a mean or obnoxious drunk, in fact it makes him silly, he's more likely to mouth off when sober!) to the cop. Cop arrests him for public drunkeness! DH says "what, I did the right thing! I didn't get in my car and drive!" Cop says "yeah, but you should have called a cab instead of walking. Being drunk in public is a crime!"

DH fights the ticket and goes before the judge, who proeceeds to throw it out and gives the cop a talking too!

 

[Crankyshank]

I often drive home after having a glass of wine with dinner. I know how my body metabolizes alcohol and I know my capabilities. Personally I'd just as soon take my chances with someone driving after a glass or 2 of wine with dinner (provided they are below the .08 limit) than someone driving that has had less than 6hrs of sleep. Driving tired is just as dangerous as drunk driving and is much more common

ETA: about the drunk walking thing. My loser uncle was convicted 2 yrs ago for drunk walking. He caused an accident by walking in the middle of the road while intoxicated and wound up getting hit by a car which was then rear ended by another car. This same Uncle just got his license back 3 months ago after over 25yrs of being without one for any period of time due to multiple dui's.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

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There's something very wrong with an individual that would behave in this manner.. You might want to see a counselor to find out why you hold so little regard for the lives of not only your own family members, but the children of others as well.. Your behavior and attitude is extremely dangerous and one day you will undoubtedly pay dearly for it - as will some other poor innocent family..

As for the "other" parents - obviously they are just as irresponsible as you are.. What a sad bunch of people...

Thank you, C. Ann!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jodifla]

This happened to my DH (long before I met him, though)!

He got drunk at a bar. He walked out to his car, stood next to the door, and thought "nah, better not". He turns and begins to walk home, about 10 blocks away or so. Halfway home, a cop stops him (he was obviously impaired), and asks him what's going on. DH tells the cop that he's too drunk to drive and is walking home. He's very nice and polite (DH is not a mean or obnoxious drunk, in fact it makes him silly, he's more likely to mouth off when sober!) to the cop. Cop arrests him for public drunkeness! DH says "what, I did the right thing! I didn't get in my car and drive!" Cop says "yeah, but you should have called a cab instead of walking. Being drunk in public is a crime!"

DH fights the ticket and goes before the judge, who proeceeds to throw it out and gives the cop a talking too!

Good for your DH. The cop was being vindictive.

 

[jodifla]

That's just it....driving after a couple of beers is not illegal - it only becomes illegal if you blow a .08 - in my state, right? So me having a glass of wine at dinner and then driving is in no way illegal, unless of course I am under 21.

Actually, in FLorida, they have wiggle room after .05. They can charge you. In some states, they can charge you after any amount at all in your bloodstream, but their burden of proof is higher.

 

[Mom2be]

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There's something very wrong with an individual that would behave in this manner.. You might want to see a counselor to find out why you hold so little regard for the lives of not only your own family members, but the children of others as well.. Your behavior and attitude is extremely dangerous and one day you will undoubtedly pay dearly for it - as will some other poor innocent family..

As for the "other" parents - obviously they are just as irresponsible as you are.. What a sad bunch of people...

Now lets get serious here for a second, after you get down from your pedestal you might take a minute to think about is this person talking about one drink or serveral. My father has drank one beer everyday of his life and I feel perfectly safe getting into a car with him and would also let me child be in a car with him. That doesn't make me irresponsible because - I KNOW MY DAD AND YOU DON'T. Now a perfect stranger - no I wouldn't let my kids get in the car, but with someone I know and how they handle alcohol I would have no problem. While you may feel that one drink is enough to keep you from driving that does not mean you get to impose your superiority on everyone else about it. That is your opinion and you are entitled to it but no one else has to live life by your rules.

~Amanda