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MG MGF Technical - Wake-Up Call for Xmas

Not a technical topic but: I just got home after a couple of drinks(3 pints) with the chaps from work and after setting off with a bit too much enthusiasm it wasn't long before I was pulled over and invited to inflate the customary plastic bag.... The results were borderline and I was lucky - these particular coppers must have been in a good mood and I was let off with a friendly warning. But this was a BIG wake up call - A car is not half as much fun when it has to sit in the garage because you're banned!! Think on...DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE.
Steve Jones

> ...DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE

exactly, not DRINK ONE PINT AND DRIVE
or DRINK UNTIL YOUR JUST BELOW THE LIMIT THEN DRIVE

Drink nothing and you'll have nothing to worry about, (apart from all the other drunk(or mobile using) drivers out there ;-)

my 2c


Chris
Chris George

Agree.
JohnP

Also a good idea to try not to drive too early the "morning after the night before"
My cousin made this mistake last year resulting in a 12 month ban.
n stretton

<<<nothing to worry about, (apart from all the other drunk(or mobile using) drivers out there>>>

god help us - there’s some doing both at the same time!

t
tony

>>Drink nothing and you'll have nothing to worry about<<

Spot on Chris. I've got a big old axe to grind on this topic. My brother-in-law and a couple of mates were knocked down by a drink driver a few years back. My brother-in-law had pretty severe injuries, my other 2 mates weren't so lucky and died instantly. The driver had drunk 3 pints and was just slightly over the limit.

The current system that allows people to drink 3 pints, and get away with it simply is not good enough. Steve, you should have had your licence pulled for this stunt.

I realise I have slightly affected views on this matter, but if you see first hand the devastation that can be caused to family and friends "after a couple of drinks" then I'm sure those with liberal views on the subject would change their minds.

Yes it's the party season and I wish every last one of you a great Christmas, but if you're having a drink, even just one, then please let a cabbie do the driving. Is it really worth taking the risk for the price of a taxi fare?

Jim
Jim Hosking

<<<nothing to worry about, (apart from all the other drunk(or mobile using) drivers out there>>>

>god help us - there’s some doing both at the same >time!

smoking is almost as bad. Saw a bloke the other day, fag in one hand, phone in the other... both should be made illegal.

Jim, I think Steve realises that he made a mistake hence his email, and it sounds like he will not be making that one again. If only more people were like him and realise before it's too late then the roads would be alot safer.

On more than one occaision I've taken the car keys off my mates which has made me unpopular, but I could not have lived with my conscience had they driven and had an accident.

I think drink driving is becoming a very anti-social activity which is a very good thing, and I don't think there is the stigma about not drinking like there used to be.

Chris


Chris George

>>>I think drink driving is becoming a very anti-social activity which is a very good thing>>>
Spot on chris. Thanks to a very clever advertising campaign drink driving is now much more frowned upon. All the government has to do now is reduce the limit to Nill units, and it will be at least one thing they have got right!
n stretton

>>smoking is almost as bad. Saw a bloke the other day, fag in one hand, phone in the other... both should be made illegal.<<

Thought they were?

>>I think Steve realises that he made a mistake hence his email, and it sounds like he will not be making that one again<<

I realise Steve's post was intended as a "guys, learn from my mistake" warning and for that I applaud him. What I don't applaud is the fact that he even contemplated getting in his car after few drinks in the first place.

Nik's advice is excellent - 'the morning after' is something that many people don't consider as often as they should (many dismiss their inebbriation as tiredness or a hang-over). I can't comment on how effective they are, but in the past I've seen DIY breath test kits for sale in Halfords (for about a fiver). With the season to be merry upon us (and I for one intend to get merry quite a bit throughout the next month) perhaps this kit is something to keep in the glovebox. Wouldn't it be great if pubs sold these in washroom vending machines as well.

Jim
Jim Hosking

Funny I remember being on a TV programme in the late 70's in Newcastle and an MP from Yorkshire was telling us that any crack down on drink and drive was an attack on civil liberties.

He explained that in the Dales, driving away from the pub plastered and spending the night in a ditch, was a way of life to be protected.

Sadly, he was serious and much of the audience agreed with him.

Thank god things have changed.

Mike
Michael Williams

Agree that drink driving is the worst thing you can do with a car. It can become a real leathal weapon and I would be happy to see penalties make even heavier for this disgraceful beahviour.

However, I cannot agree with dropping the alcohol limit to zero. That would be ridiculous. That would mean not be able to drive having taken certain cold medicine and what about the poor bloke who accidentally swallows a smidge of his mouth wash in the morning and when breathalised has a trace amount of alcohol? Do we ban them?

That is not to say that the limit shouldn't be lowered from the current level, perhaps it should. It is those irresponsible tw*ts that should be stopped and punished.
Billy Bob

yes agree Bob, zero is ridiculous, remember it is the minority that think they are untouchable and put all our lives at risk and not just at xmas,, and these are the ones five pints and upwards lot,lets face it if caught and proved over, a 12mnth ban and couple hundred quid fine not exactly the punishment to put them off, sometimes the law is an ass. Dave














DC MORRIS

oops i mean Billy.
DC MORRIS

I thought I read that there is a small natural amount of alcohol in the blood - if it were zero you would be dead ?? Rob, is that right ?
David

There was an item on the radio yesterday. A chap was pleading not guilty to a drink driving offence claiming his body naturally produced excess alcohol and that is why he was over the limit when tested. He later retracted that statement as he had no medical back up and was found guilty. As the press finished interviewing him he strolled over to the pub for a quick one. It was his third conviction for drink driving!
If, as some people claim, driving whilst under the influence, hightens their driving capabilties and awareness, why don't we see the likes of Richard Burns and Schuey having a skin full, in the pits?
Everyone by now knows the law so there is no excuse.

John
JFK

ok so when i said reduce the limit to zero units, i may have been a bit loose in my use of language what i meant was (in my humble oppinion) if you are driving, just one drink is one too many.

Nik
n stretton

I definitely sympathise with Jim on this. The reason for my message was that my personal opinions on the subject of drink driving used to be 'A little is acceptable' (which I think is still scarily quite a common view) to 'drinking and driving is totally out of the question'. It's unfortunate that it took a brush with the law to bring that about - but I'm thankful for it and hope this thread has woken others up to the stupidity of drink driving!! Happy Christmas and hello to everyone going to Dave livingstone's RR Day - can't wait to see the results.
steve

<'A little is acceptable' (which I think is still scarily quite a common view>

I don't think so, I'm afraid that my view is that anyone that still thinks this after all the years of very strong advertising is a moron.
James King

This thread was discussed between 05/12/2002 and 06/12/2002

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