close call with the police

[Bog]

Originally Posted by sco77harris

although if i was to be honest i felt fine

This proves you don't understand a word of what people are trying to tell you on here. I'm sure this statement would be a real comfort to someone who you could have potentailly killed!

You really are starting to get on my nerves now Scott! I know you are young and still learning, but there some very intelligent people on here trying to give you the benifit of their wisdom and experience.

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by Bungle

In an idal world that would be great [zero limit], but it could never, never work in reality.

Last night I had a drink with dinner. Now, there is still trace amounts of alcohol in my system for a day or two. What the zero limit implies is that 1 glass of wine with your evening meal would prevent you for driving for the whole of the following day. That is a step too far IMHO. Does anyone disagree with that?

The limit should be reduced to 1 unit (which I feel is still 1 unit too much, but is better than 2, and more practical than zero!).

Originally Posted by Pottsy

Bungle, zero as a limit is not really practical. I would fail it, and I haven't had a drink since August. 1984. We all have a natural amount of alcohol in our system, and also a process called Ketosis can fool breath machines....

Yeah, that's what I said, it would never work

You're confusing me Pottsy!

[Foggy69]

Originally Posted by Pottsy

Bungle, zero as a limit is not really practical. I would fail it, and I haven't had a drink since August. 1984. We all have a natural amount of alcohol in our system, and also a process called Ketosis can fool breath machines.

My limit at work is one quarter that of the driving limit. This is a sensible limit, because to be safe then you should not have a single drink for 24 hours (though some can get away with a unit or two 8 hours before work).

I work under the same regulations as you, I think it is 30mg instead of 80mg.
As you say, we can't drink within about 24 hours of booking on for duty to ensure compliance with the law, so this low level of permissible alcohol is basically forcing us to be clear of alcohol when we book on for duty. It is basically Zero when we go to work.
I know that Zero is impossible, legally, but as a message, it's as simply as it gets.
Set a 10 or 20mg level, have a compulsory prison sentence's if you are caught, lose you licence for a couple of years and, the biggie, have to retake your driving test.
And get the police back out onto the roads to enforce it

[Pottsy]

Bungle, sorry, I was typing whilst being attacked by a wild 4 year old!

Foggy, we work to 20, but also a clause that says you must not be in any way affected by alcohol. I totally agree with you, 20mg with first offence getting the same huge penalty as if it were the tenth offence.

[elfa7]

Originally Posted by Daren

That would make absolutely no difference to the amount of alcohol in your system. You might feel better in yourself and you may perceive yourself to be more sober, but..... you will still have the same amount of alcohol in your blood. The only thing that will reduce the level is time.

Being one of the boys in blue myself - had I stopped you I would have breathalyzed you. Your manner of driving by not overtaking would have given me concern and I breathalyze anyone that concerns me.

The only way to be sure is to not drink and drive at all. Why risk loosing your license, your Civic and perhaps your life? Not worth it.

Daren, have the police tightened up the amount they can drink in your clubs after a shift.
Many years ago, it was well known for them to have a drink, or three and leave their club bladdered.

[sco77harris]

yer thats why they say onthe drink drive thingy if you drive slowly we know you drunk etc

[Obo]

Originally Posted by Bungle

In an idal world that would be great, but it could never, never work in reality.

Last night I had a drink with dinner. Now, there is still trace amounts of alcohol in my system for a day or two. What the zero limit implies is that 1 glass of wine with your evening meal would prevent you for driving for the whole of the following day. That is a step too far IMHO. Does anyone disagree with that?

The limit should be reduced to 1 unit (which I feel is still 1 unit too much, but is better than 2, and more practical than zero!).

Indeed and probably it would be seen as taking away people's rights, but thats a whole other issue. Obviously it would be impossible to police a zero limit, but it should definately be lower than it is now. I dont understand why people have several drinks knowing the car is sitting in the car park, whats wrong with getting a taxi and getting bladdered or perish the thought is there really that much shame in ordering a lemonade?

Scott you are not doing yourself any favours by continuing to try and justify what you did or your responses to everyones disaproval. It seems from your posts that if you hadnt been stopped by the police you wouldnt have seen the error of your ways. People are having a go at you because you were foolish and theyre trying to make you understand WHY it was wrong but you still havent grasped it yet as you continue to respond with "I know I shouldnt have but I felt I was ok to drive". If you were appearing in court today on a drink driving charge and you responded like that you wouldnt stand a chance. You might be an 18 year old man but you are responding like a kid with his hand caught in the biscuit tin!

[l-noel]

Driving or drinking is still a major Problem in France.

The limit is 0.5mg/l (Blood analysis) 0,25 mg/litre (breath analysis) but below 0.8 mg/l (blood) 0,40 mg/l (air)... The immediate penalty is :
- up to 3 years Driving Licence removal
- loss of 6 point on the driving license(of the 12 we have)
- your vehicle is immobilized
- you have a 750 € fine.

If you are Above the 0.8 mg/l (blood) 0,40 mg/l (air) limit it is a criminal offense, with the folowing sanctions :
- Driving licence canceled for 3 years or suspended for 5 Years with a possible prison penalty of 3 years in both case.
- loss of 6 point on the license
- General interest work (generaly in Hospital treating road accident)
- Vehicle immobilized / confiscated
- 4 500 € fine

That's in case of detection by the police, not if you've an accident...

Oh by the way if you have an accident, your insurance company will not pay for you (will only cover third party damage), and the social security system will not take in charge your wage loss...

As you can see the law is pretty hard but the problem in France is Law Enforcement ! In more than 20 Years driving I've never been tested !

That's maybe why we have always so many young kids killed every week end !

The other problem is that the Bus/Taxi service is not as good as in the UK, Taxi are very expensive (but less than an accident) and there are few night busses, so People are still drinking and driving...)

So when Mme NOEL and me are going out, one of us dont drink... not so Fun but a lot safer !

[richierich]

Can we put this to bed yet, I believe Scott has learnt a lesson, maybe 2, one will be that he will never open his mouth in here again, we all have our opinions, some have even had family tragedies related to the exact same thing, however, this should not give us the right to verbally attack a fellow member of the forum, Scotts replies were perhaps in places a little badly worded, but I think he was only trying to defend himself to the barrage of abuse he was getting.
____________________________________________

Above is my poor attempt at drawing a line under things!!

[elfa7]

Originally Posted by Bungle

And i'd say driving in a bad mood can be far worse still. Seriously.

Well that lets members of Civinfo off. Because we're always in a good mood.

[Daren]

Originally Posted by Bog

Is that a Police trick then to see if someone has something to hide? - Slow down to way below the road's speed limit and see if the person overtakes.

Sco77harris originally said that he was driving at 30mph in a 60 limit and would not overtake the police car - in my opinion the average law abiding person with full insurance, driving license and MOT (and is also not wanted for any other offences) would happily pass a Police car in these circumstances - hence my comments... no tricks.

[Daren]

Originally Posted by elfa7

Daren, have the police tightened up the amount they can drink in your clubs after a shift.
Many years ago, it was well known for them to have a drink, or three and leave their club bladdered.

Your right in saying that was many years ago.... we have to practise what we preach - and quite rightly.

Getting caught drink driving could spell the end of your career now (and pension!)

[elfa7]

Originally Posted by Daren

Your right in saying that was many years ago.... we have to practise what we preach - and quite rightly.

Getting caught drink driving could spell the end of your career now (and pension!)

Well said Daren. Glad to hear it.

[Hartside]

I think the key here is for Scott to learn from his mistake and his post implies that he will - I just hope he's learned his lesson.

I had a similar incident at 18 years old and was put in the back of a Police car in Scotland and breathalysed. Luckily for me I passed it, but it didn't stop the cop who breathalysed me bollocking me something rotten. I like a drink as much as the next man, but I tell you what, I've never had a drink and drove a car since (I'm 46 now!). It was a lesson learned for me and I hope this has had a similar effect on young Scott.

Take heed Scott!

[czechplastik]

Originally Posted by elfa7

Well said Daren. Glad to hear it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6702339.stm

[ben hinkley]

Bloody hell CZ are you on the piss at the moment then

You don't have to reply only joshing

[czechplastik]

Originally Posted by ben hinkley

Bloody hell CZ are you on the piss at the moment then

You don't have to reply only joshing

[Andrea]

I dont think scott has learnt his lesson because as far as he is concerened "he felt fine" so in his eyes its not a problem. The only reason he shat himself i because he nearly got caught.

[czechplastik]

Originally Posted by Andrea

I dont think scott has learnt his lesson because as far as he is concerened "he felt fine" so in his eyes its not a problem. The only reason he shat himself i because he nearly got caught.

Good point, if he was so sure of himself he would have had nothing to worry about! The title of the thread is a give away also...

'Close call with the Police'

[TTDegs]

Whilst I care greatly about whether or not Scott has indeed learnt from this experience, I'm not entirely convinced that any further posts pointing out that driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or other drugs (or indeed sleep deprevation) is a bad idea is actually going to add anything to the discussion.


If Scott has now decided to never again drink and drive - then that is a good lesson well learnt (irrespective of if he was just over or just under, or well over the limit).

If Scott has however decided that drinking 2 double vodkas after a load of food and water means that he is still able to drive - then until he is pulled over and breath tested it's unlikely we will be able to convince him otherwise.