I drink and drive...!

[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.

Originally Posted by BluePete

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Tzindo

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.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

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...

Only ever have one pint if driving nowadays and never drink if I'm 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]

Originally Posted by FeRoL

Only ever have one pint if driving nowadays and never drink if I'm 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!!

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