Re: Drink driving at Christmas : Thu Dec 06, 2012 11:25 pm  

kirkstaller wrote:

We are now firmly in the season of office Christmas parties. Consequently, people are more likely to have a drink on a 'work night' and drive into work or elsewhere the following day.

The seasonal drink driving ads are upon us and this can only be a good thing. Driving whilst drunk is simply idiotic. But where (or when) do you think the enforcement of this campaign will take place?

Does anyone think there is something massively ingenuous about breathalysing motorists on the morning commute?

The latest breathalysing equipment used by the plod might not discriminate between night and day, but anyone with half a brain can tell you that there is a significant difference between being under the influence of alcohol on a night out and driving into work with a hangover the following day.
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Should the police focus their resources on the 10pm-4am offenders? Are early morning stops unfair on normally law-abiding folk who, realistically, are not under the influence of alcohol?

I'm not necessarily picking sides, but I know which one I am leaning towards.

The use of the word 'plod' shows your attitude vividly enough.
Most people know what the rules are and can take steps to avoid unwanted consequences.
The police are not the problem and how they target drink drivers within the law is their concern and good luck to them.
On a separate point, drink driving is not illegal (it may be unwise) unless one is over the limit. Some people seem to think that all drink drivers are criminals. Technically some are not.

Re: Drink driving at Christmas : Fri Dec 07, 2012 12:10 am  

kirkstaller wrote:

Surely you've seen the traps laid by police on Saturday and Sunday mornings? They pull in 7 cars a time.

Nope, not in 27 years of driving, three as a white van man. I've seen and been pulled on tax checks, insurance crack downs, duff lights, VOSA diesel checks and a few other bits, but I've never seen an indiscriminate pulling of drivers to breath check them.

Re: Drink driving at Christmas : Fri Dec 07, 2012 2:25 am  

I got pulled at 7.40 this evening for doing 30 in a 40 as I was looking for a junction, breath test and the once over for the car.

No complaints, but using 'driving too slow' as an excuse is a bit iffy.


I've always wondered why they don't pull people leaving scooter and bike rallies, there must be a lot of people over the limits leaving them.

Re: Drink driving at Christmas : Fri Dec 07, 2012 7:36 am  

I used to work in the printing industry and our Christmas parties were always Friday or Saturday nights when the lads on shop floor didn't have to go in and operate machinery the next day. (Think they had to leave at least 6 or 7 hours between drinking and using the machines). I know its not always practical but if work parties were on a weekend then the majority wouldn't have the problem of going to work the next day.

And I'm the same as Jerry Chicken, not allowed alcohol on my drugs so I'm always the designated driver which I don't mind as I'd rather we all get home safetly.

Re: Drink driving at Christmas : Fri Dec 07, 2012 9:08 am  

To be fair to Kirkstaller, I've seen and been stopped by police doing random checks. It happens a couple of times a year near where I live.
I'm a bit torn on this to be honest, it's obviously not good to be driving if you're still over the limit (though I'm not sure how you would tell the difference between feeling a bit rough and being over the limit) but I'd rather the police put more effort into catching those who are well over the limit and much more dangerous the night before than those who are just a bit rough the next morning. I'm also not too keen on the principle of the police stopping you at random "just in case" you might be committing a crime.
I'm not saying I'm totally against it, just am concerned about it becoming the thin end of the wedge.

Re: Drink driving at Christmas : Fri Dec 07, 2012 9:40 am  

At a previous address one of my neighbours was a motorbike copper and he told me that they target morning drivers as there are too many that drive after a night on the pi$$ (even though the majority would have not driven the night before and got a taxi or a lift). Although this sounds a sneaky and cynical way to catch people out, if there is a risk then it's something that needs doing.

Re: Drink driving at Christmas : Fri Dec 07, 2012 9:48 am  

What are the stats on accidents and casualties caused by morning-after drink-drivers?

Re: Drink driving at Christmas : Fri Dec 07, 2012 9:50 am  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

What are the stats on accidents and casualties caused by morning-after drink-drivers?

I am sure they will be arriving shortly

Re: Drink driving at Christmas : Fri Dec 07, 2012 10:42 am  

Big Graeme wrote:

They don't, they should do mind.
Anyone who drives while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is an idiot who deserves to be relegated to a pedestrian permanently.

That would be promotion. Not a 'relegation'.

Re: Drink driving at Christmas : Fri Dec 07, 2012 12:01 pm  

kirkstaller wrote:

... anyone with half a brain can tell you that there is a significant difference between being under the influence of alcohol on a night out and driving into work with a hangover the following day...

A breathalyser doesn't detect hangovers, it detects alcohol.