I drink and drive...!

[-Ralph-]

Thought I'd pose the question! Do you drink and drive? Or do you abstain completely? It's a just question rather than an invitation for the "I know better" brigade to tell us all what we should be doing. Do you feel that you are able to and should be driving (you know yourself) after two pints?

I'll have the one. Limit is two pints, but I drink stronger imported beers so I won't have more than one immediately before driving, 'cos two would might well tip you over. I'll have two if it's lunchtime and I'm not going to drive until 4-5 hours later.

I have a wee electronic breathalyser which is supposed to illuminate LED's at 20 (yellow), then 50 (red), the limit is 80 (whatever the units are), for use if I need to drive the morning after a heavy night. I'll also use it if I've had two pints at lunchtime and need to drive come dinner time just for piece of mind. I won't drive if its on red even if I think it's only just tipped over the 50, I drive for work, live in the middle of knowwhere and love my motorbike, so loosing my license would be a seriously big bummer! And of course nobody wants to cause an accident. You'd be surprised how easy it is to trip red the morning after especially if you were drinking from the afternoon into the wee hours.

I did the circle line tour recently for a stag do, and went to a couple of late opening bars afterwards. Over the course of the 12-14 hours drank 34 pub measure rum and coke and 7 sambuca shots (yes we were keeping scores!!), couldn't be described as sober, but was certainly lucid, had a sensible converstion with my wife and directed the taxi driver from Embankment back to Redhill (nr Gatwick). I don't usually get ****ed easily unless very tired or mixing drinks, so usually yes, I feel able to drive after two pints, just won't do it for legal reasons. But there are times after 4 pints or so that I've played games on the playstation and had to concentrate so much harder on what I'm doing, I don't do as well as usual and soon give up. Try it and you'll see what I mean.

So what about everyone else?

[Luckypants]

Might have a pint if driving the car, over an evening.

Never have anything more than a shandy if riding.

[Sean_C]

I wondered what the legal position was if I got pulled over and breathalised and found to be under the limit. Bearing in mind I'm not 18 yet ;)
Never have had a drink and then driven. Drinking one pint ain't worth it, so I don't bother.

[chris8886]

i will never drink just before driving! if i go out and am the driver i might have one when i get there at say 9pm and nothing again even if i'm not going to be leaving until the early hours of the morning. if i'm leaving any earlier i won't have anything at all. on the bike i'll drink nothing, no matter when i'm leaving!!

[metalmonkey]

Myself if I'm driving I may have a beer if I'm in the mood, since I got the bike never had a drink then got on the bike so not worth binning ur bike over.

Grr, the drink limit isn't 2 pints!!!!!! Its not, don't fooled plz....

Its 35mg. What that means is it is different for everyone, okay we absord beer ect at different rates depedns if u have eaten your mood ur weight ect.
For me I would though its very little that puts me over.

The last person who told, me they just a drink, I had to pull the people from the wreck 2 in hospital, one arrested. Please don't make it you I pull from a weccage. I saw the car crash at about 50mph, into a tree, I though it was gonna mess, luckly it wasn't. Sorry to rant, but if it saves what I saw then worth while.

[Paws]

nope, never

[Lozzo]

I gave up drinking while driving after I smashed myself up on my then girlfriend's bike when drunk aged 19. It basically destroyed my life as well as my legs.

[Jester666]

May have 2 pints of weak lager but generally no.

I have, in the past, done it on a few occasions after far too many Kronys/Stellas but no more.

I got away with it then but I am no longer prepared to take what is a stupid, selfish and pointless risk.

[Pedrosa]

Here in Spain the level of drink driving that goes on is literally criminal. especially when you come from a country such as the UK where education on the subject has been available for many years.

The limit here is just 25mg. Lower than the UK. But for me it is not a problem as, if I am going to drive or ride a bike I would NEVER take alcohol.

They also presently have a campaign of stop checks to clamp down on drug taking as well. No surprise when shockingly Spain is the highest consumer of cocaine behind the U.S. A dreadfully damning statistic.

[phizog]

I'll have 1 light beer if I know I won't be riding for 2-3 hours (ie back down to 0% alcohol). I'm not on a full license yet so I'm restricted to 0%. Even when I have my fulls, I wont have more than a light, and I'll wait 1.5 hours before riding.

When driving.. when I get my fulls, I'd have a beer every 2-3 hours (ie just social drinking).

[phil24_7]

May have 2 pints of weak lager but generally no.

I have, in the past, done it on a few occasions after far too many Kronys/Stellas but no more.

I got away with it then but I am no longer prepared to take what is a stupid, selfish and pointless risk.

+1 (though my tipple was Bud/Heiny/Fosters) and I don't touch alcohol if I'm riding.

[tactcom7]

I did a few months back and am currently serving a 13.5 month ban as a result, don't do it folks just not worth it. Was trying to do a favour for a mate that backfired in a big way. Live and Learn i guess.

[Defender]

I never drink alcohol and then drive / ride.

If I was to drink then go out, have an accident and hurt / killed someone, how would I live with myself.

[ThEGr33k]

Limit is two pints



Erm im pretty sure its 2 units which is one pint of average strength beer/lager. So be careful even when having a single pint! I think its better not to have any since a lot of people dont realise what the limit is...

I dont drive only ride and ill never drink and ride, I think that would just be asking for trouble (crash).





But there are times after 4 pints or so that I've played games on the playstation and had to concentrate so much harder on what I'm doing, I don't do as well as usual and soon give up. Try it and you'll see what I mean.


I have and id urg people who thing they can drink and drive to try this! Ill put money on that they wont have a chance of doing races, never mind well. (best is grand theft auto, funny when playing but imagine real life and oh dear.) :(

I dont get the people who think they can drive better when they drink, i have heard a few people say it. SHOCKING.

[Stig]

Yes. A pint down the pub at lunch time. Well I used to before I've started my healthy eating regime. :roll:

[timwilky]

In the past, I would limit myself to two pints if I was driving, then when they changed from the breathaliser and blood/pee test to a more geeky machine I learn't a lesson.

I failed a roadside breath test. Stopped at the side of the road and couldn't believe it. My car parked up for me and in the back of a car to the local police station. It was at the point where the Lion intoximeter (I think that was the name) was being argued about in the courts so they had to revert to a blood test.

Go into work on the monday morning and tell my MD. His attitude was it will be a month before you get a ban. Mine will be up by then, so I will knock £25 a week from your wages to pay for when you need a driver. Result kept job.

So one month and still no paperwork from the courts, then two, three, and now starting to brick it. after 5 months I get a letter from the police.

Dear Mr Wilkinson

Further to your arrest and blood test on xxxxx etc.

At the time of your arrest your blood alcohol level was below that required for a prosecution under xxxx etc. and no further action will be taken against you.


Lesson leant big time.

[the_lone_wolf]

For me it boils down to this:

If you did have something to drink, then on the way home you were to cause an accident or a child ran out in front of you or something, you would forever have to live with the thought that had you not had a couple you might have reacted in time or taken a more appropriate course of action and not killed someone's child, parent or whoever...

I just don't want that hanging over me forever, so i won't touch it if i'm driving

[neio79]

ill havea pint if i am out for a meal, and driving. If i am riding i never drink at all not even shandy.

[timwilky]

For me it boils down to this:

If you did have something to drink, then on the way home you were to cause an accident or a child ran out in front of you or something, you would forever have to live with the thought that had you not had a couple you might have reacted in time or taken a more appropriate course of action and not killed someone's child, parent or whoever...

I just don't want that hanging over me forever, so i won't touch it if i'm driving


I have a friend, who does not drink, doesn't like the taste etc. He had a child run out on him, did he have time to react etc. He said afterwards at least if he had had a drink he would have a reason to blame himself.

Totally cleared of blame, yet the kids parents tried to run a hate campaign against him. Blamed him for the death of their brat. Ironically he had a crash again the day after the above. Into the cop car that turned up the day before. Again not his fault, this time the copper on blues had cut a corner at the wrong time

[Mike2165]

When I'm out with friends or family and driving, they just get a coke (not the sniffing sort!) they've got bored asking what I want, they know the answer. Just personal preferance for me, find it easier not to bother than worry about it.

[Bluepete]

Personally, none, but that's just 'cos I feel the effect of alcohol really fast.

Now then, limits.

The legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, or 80 milligrammes in 100 millilitres of blood.

This is what the handheld Lion Intoxemeter tests for on the side of the road.

That usually equates to three units. This was derived from a test many years ago where one pint of standard bitter was two units. So the education was one pint and a half would be just ok. However, these days, so many drinks are a lot stronger and the education has not caught up that people are unsure what is what.


The average human takes one hour to metabolise one unit of alcohol. So, in theory, a pint of Stella (at around 3.5 units) takes three and a half hours to get rid of. Many people fail breath tests because of exactly this. They think two pints is ok. But two pints at 3.5 units each is twice the legal limit. If they take an hour to have those two pints,

"Just popping out for a swift one with Joe from down the road love"

they will still blow around the 50 to 60 mark and face arrest.

There are Doctors wo make a very, very good living as expert witnesses on alcohol consumtion and impairment in the courts and it is a very complicated subject. In the end, there is no way to calculate your breath or blood alcohol levels yourself without resorting to owning a calibrated, Police Lion kit.

[neio79]

In the end, there is no way to calculate your breath or blood alcohol levels yourself without resorting to owning a calibrated, Police Lion kit.

so can we expect to see a few in the for sale section then?? ;) LOL

[Bluepete]

Mmmmm. Ebay!

[mister c]

I dont normally drink, but if I go out & I'm driving then I will have 1 Guiness at the beginning of the night & then go on Cokes. I got pulled over a long time ago & failed the breathalyser :( Got thrown in a cell, treated like scum, then passed the big intoximeter and sent packing. So I just wont do it anymore, its not worth it.

[Tzindo]

1 Perhaps there should be no 35 milligram limit that removes any ambiguity, countries such as Norway allow for nothing. So if you want to drive you know where you stand rather than the grey area that is 1 pint or 2.

2 What about all those rural pubs with car parks. Everyone ordering soft drinks there and getting home by car? I think not.

3 What about the sobriety test that checks for coordination they have in the States. That checks for other things like drugs as well. If you can't touch your nose or walk in a straight line then perhaps you should not be driving.

[grh1904]

3 What about the sobriety test that checks for coordination they have in the States. That checks for other things like drugs as well. If you can't touch your nose or walk in a straight line then perhaps you should not be driving.

The problem with those is that they are even less exact, for example I have very poor balance and if I close my eyes and stand on one leg I wobble around after about 3 secs like a one legged drunk after 10 pints.

In response to BLUEPETE's comments above, i totally agree.

I locked up a drink driver just before Xmas, he said he had had 2 pints of hand-pulled bitter at lunch time, then thinking they had left his system he had another 2 pints between 6-7.30pm, I stopped him just a little after 8 pm.

He blew 112 (3+ times the limit), but to talk to him he appeared totally compus mentus, just smelled of alcohol.

[Tiger 55]

drinking from the afternoon into the wee hours.


Doing what? You are a responsible father of one now m'laddo, all that sort of thing is behind you!

I've got no objections to drinking and driving and often have a pint when I'm out on the bike. If I'm driving I might have a couple of bottles of beer to dull the pain of everyone else being p*ssed and/or being at a family gathering.

Sure it doesn't do anything for your reaction times or your decision making but then neither does being tired, stressed, old or hormonal. I'm usually only 3 of those mind you.

The trouble with a zero limit is Aunty Ethel puts sherry in her trifle without telling you and BANG you're the scum of the earth...

[FeRoL]

Only ever have one pint if driving nowadays and never drink if I'm riding. :riding:
Just not worth the risk of screwing my life up for a beer!
Don't think zero tolerance is the way to go either.

[chris8886]

Only ever have one pint if driving nowadays and never drink if I'm riding. :riding:
Just not worth the risk of screwing my life up for a beer!
Don't think zero tolerance is the way to go either.

[derail] just noticed i'm only down the road from you mate!! hope to see you at the soho meets soon!!

[FeRoL]

Aye was thinking of heading down this sunday to show my face :cool: (weather and girlfriend dependant though)

[chris8886]

Aye was thinking of heading down this sunday to show my face :cool: (weather and girlfriend dependant though)

come to soho on friday night. is a good laugh, we meet before and i can lead you there if you like

[-Ralph-]

Personally, none, but that's just 'cos I feel the effect of alcohol really fast.

Now then, limits.

The legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, or 80 milligrammes in 100 millilitres of blood.

This is what the handheld Lion Intoxemeter tests for on the side of the road.

That usually equates to three units. This was derived from a test many years ago where one pint of standard bitter was two units. So the education was one pint and a half would be just ok. However, these days, so many drinks are a lot stronger and the education has not caught up that people are unsure what is what.


The average human takes one hour to metabolise one unit of alcohol. So, in theory, a pint of Stella (at around 3.5 units) takes three and a half hours to get rid of. Many people fail breath tests because of exactly this. They think two pints is ok. But two pints at 3.5 units each is twice the legal limit. If they take an hour to have those two pints,

"Just popping out for a swift one with Joe from down the road love"

they will still blow around the 50 to 60 mark and face arrest.

There are Doctors wo make a very, very good living as expert witnesses on alcohol consumtion and impairment in the courts and it is a very complicated subject. In the end, there is no way to calculate your breath or blood alcohol levels yourself without resorting to owning a calibrated, Police Lion kit.

Thats a very useful post from someone who knows their onions. Thanks Pete. I thought I was OK immediately after one and a half pint of Stella! I'll have to rethink that one.

So what were saying is I'd be right on the 3 unit fail breathalizer threshold, if I drank a pint of Stella in 1/2 hour then jumped straight in the car, is that correct?

[-Ralph-]

No, zero tolerance is no good for exactly the kind of reason Tiger mentions.

[metalmonkey]

Thats a very useful post from someone who knows their onions. Thanks Pete. I thought I was OK immediately after one and a half pint of Stella! I'll have to rethink that one.

So what were saying is I'd be right on the 3 unit fail breathalizer threshold, if I drank a pint of Stella in 1/2 hour then jumped straight in the car, is that correct?

Yes and no as Pete said it depends on how quickly you metabolise the alcohol, thats what it comes down too, you may be okay, but I might not. The way our bodies work is very different, i.e some people's core tempertaure is warmer or cooler than average, like mine can be.

Also what alot of people get caught out on, is the morning after. Been out the nightbefore and got trashed, then get up in the morning to drive, if tested you could be over the limit, To test this when I was training we used the breath machine on mate who was drunk the nightbefore, it went to orange!

To be honest its best not to have anything, I don't drink stella anymore too strong and tastes bad!

[chris8886]

I don't drink stella anymore too strong and tastes bad!

tastes bad?! the stuff is absolutely filthy!! :mad:

[Kate Moss]

+1 (though my tipple was Bud/Heiny/Fosters) and I don't touch alcohol if I'm riding.

plus, you get a rollocking off me if you do!!

[-Ralph-]

tastes bad?! the stuff is absolutely filthy!! :mad:

Very true, I avoid Stella where possible too, I just used it as an example of a stong lager that everybody knows.

In Scotland sometimes your left with a lager choice of Stella or Tennents, then the Stella's suddenly not so bad.

[sv-robo]

if i,m driving or on the bike i,ll have 1 pint (max) but more often than not i,ll stick with soft drinks.

[fizzwheel]

1 drink normally a bottle of beer i.e Corona if I drive to have a meal and I drink that first whilst I'm eating. Then no more.

If I am on the bike then I dont have anything.

[chris8886]

Very true, I avoid Stella where possible too, I just used it as an example of a stong lager that everybody knows.

In Scotland sometimes your left with a lager choice of Stella or Tennents, then the Stella's suddenly not so bad.

well we know you scots can't make any good beer ;)






*hides in corner from the ecosse massive*

[Wideboy]

tastes bad?! the stuff is absolutely filthy!! :mad:

its ok, i are a nice ice cold cider drinker meself :smt110

i have a half if I'm driving or riding:riding:

[chris8886]

its ok, i are a nice ice cold cider drinker meself :smt110

i hope you're coming to the AR mate!! because it sounds like we could polish off a few magners between us!! :drunken::drink::smt030

[Wideboy]

i hope you're coming to the AR mate!! because it sounds like we could polish off a few magners between us!! :drunken::drink::smt030

i might be going :D, I'd have to find me way out west end first, tis a vast place :smt110

[chris8886]

i might be going :D, I'd have to find me way out west end first, tis a vast place :smt110

is it? i don't know it!!

[skint]

nope don't D & D. Easy for me because although I like a drink I'm not bothered if I don't have one.

[husky03]

Never-it should be illegal to drive if you've had any alcohol-i've saw first hand the damage one pint can cause and its usually the innocents that end up paying the price.

[pickles]

my best friend was in a car crash at 15 that killed her mum. the guy behind had had a few and ploughed them into a wall.

even for that one or two that you can get away with its really not worth it as maybe you couldn't react quickly enough to the guy behind thats had 10

[Ceri JC]

Never-it should be illegal to drive if you've had any alcohol-i've saw first hand the damage one pint can cause and its usually the innocents that end up paying the price.

Nice idea, but true zero tolerance means you cannot drive the next day after a night out, which for many people would mean they could only drink heavily on a friday night or on Saturday in comparative moderation. I can't see our beloved government giving up such a sizeable lump of tax income very readily.

[kitkat]

i dont have a drink at all if im driving/riding but would maybe get caught out the next morning. Saying that doesnt take me long to get all tipsy and silly (cheap date). Glad I wasnt stopped on way home from AR06, probably chucking up at their feet would not have helped either. Rode around for about an hour before realising we were going the wrong way doh

[-Ralph-]

well we know you scots can't make any good beer ;)






*hides in corner from the ecosse massive*

We make some great Beers! Fantastic in fact !!! We're just crap at making lager.