I did it last night. I had two beers and a glass of wine over the course of five hours and I got in my car and drove home. I am pretty sure that I was under the .08 blood alcohol content limit, but I don't REALLY know. I didn't have a breathalyzer with me. But I think most of my friends would say, "Five hours? You were fine! No problem!" I'm listening to a Midmorning show about drunk driving on Minnesota Public Radio right now and what I am hearing is shocking. I'm now of the mind that it is not ever okay to drive after having any amount of alcohol.
Minnesota has the third highest rate of DWI arrests in the U.S. One in six drivers here has a DWI on their driving record. One in six! We also have among the highest rate of alcohol consumption, so obviously, the rate of drunk driving will be higher, but still, what is not computing in our heads up here? Why do we get in the car after a drink at all?
The sociologist on MPR right now suspects it has to do with a belief that we can determine the point at which we become impaired. We think it is okay to drink and drive, as long as we don't drink too much. But alcohol removes our ability to make accurate judgments. It increases our confidence and reduces inhibitions. It is impossible to make responsible decisions after a very small amount of alcohol. You might think you are perfectly capable of driving a car, but do you know how low a .08 blood alcohol limit is? The limit is intentionally set BELOW the point of impairment. The point is that alcohol and vehicles should never mix in any amount.
For me, everything becomes a good idea after two drinks. I know this, thanks to a scientific experiment my partner and I conducted a couple of years ago. I got my brother a pocket breathalyzer for his birthday, which offended my mother like crazy, but my brother likes gadgets. He thought it was neat. We did too, so we tested it out before we gave it to him. (So, yeah, I gave him a used breathalyzer for his birthday...THAT might be offensive).
We drank two vodka tonics each within an hour, testing our breath at every fifteen minutes. We watched the number climb gradually. Within a half hour after finishing the second drink, we were both at .09. Officially drunk! The problem was, we both felt completely fine. If we hadn't had the digital readout in front of us, either one of us might have gotten behind the wheel.
Within minutes of achieving .09, the carbon monoxide alarm in my bedroom started going crazy, so we ran out of the house. My roommate and landlord was unconcerned, as it was a newish furnace and so forth. It was late and he planned to have it checked out in the morning. My partner wanted to go to her house for the night, but we were officially too drunk to drive. Perfectly capable of driving, we believed, but clearly above the legal limit. So we sat in the back yard, testing periodically. When we finally hit .07 an hour later, we went to her house. (As it turned out, the carbon monoxide alarm was going off because I dropped it in the driveway after I bought it and it was broken).
To review, the results of our experiment showed that two reasonably fit, large frame women who had two drinks were unable to drive for two and a half hours after starting to drink.
The experts on the MPR show say that a drink an hour is a fair guideline for when a person hits their limit. They say that for most people, one drink an hour will put you close to the legal limit. Some will stay under the limit, others will go over. It depends on your sex, age, size, body fat percentage, and metabolism. Do you know how all those factors work together in you? No. No one knows that, exactly. So maybe a drink an hour is too risky? And what constitutes "one drink" anyway?
One twelve ounce bottled beer has the same amount of alcohol as a four ounce glass of wine. Both of these have the same alcohol content as 1 oz. of hard liquor, like 80 proof vodka or rum. Oh, and that's another thing...wine glasses are not meant to be filled to the rim! Four ounces is a half cup of wine. Not a half glass, as wine glasses vary greatly. Half a cup. Four ounces. And a pint of beer is sixteen ounces, so if you have a pint instead of a bottle, count it as one and a third drinks, not one. That third really makes a difference if you are using the drink-an-hour guideline. A martini counts as two and a half drinks, and at some bars, where they are served in enormous glasses, they can be up to five ounces of alcohol! One martini in an hour will pretty much mess you up for the night. Call a cab!
Which brings me to the next factor in drinking and driving. Before going out, plan your alternative transportation. Don't even take your car if you plan to have a drink. In places like Minnesota, alternative transportation can be a problem, as the train only goes two places and quits running well before the bars close. The bus doesn't run out to the 'burbs all night, and it can take an hour to get a cab downtown. A designated driver is the best option in cities with bad transportation. Just make sure your sober cab is trustworthy and not someone who has a couple of drinks and thinks they are fine to drive. As I learned in my experiment, everything seems like a good idea after two drinks. But not really. The responsible thing to do is to avoid all alcohol if you are going to drive.
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I've drank and driven many times. I think it all started when I would see my father OCCASIONALLY stumble into the house. I had always heard not to drink and drive, but as you get older you tend to know how much you can drink before it becomes something serious. Now, I consider myself somewhat of a proffessional drunk driver. It just seems like when I get into my car I all of a sudden sober up.
"my first name must be, "He aint sh@t", cause everytime I come through, yall be like "He aint sh@t"!....I'll be dat" --Redman
"Anything that can go wrong, Will go wrong"----Murphy's Law
If you got pulled over, you would probably blow over .08, which means you are driving illegally. And when you drive after drinking alcohol, your reaction times are delayed, but worse than that, your ability to make good decisions is impaired. The point of my post is that no one REALLY knows what their limit is, so the only safe thing to do is not to drive at all if you've had a drink. This is what I am going to do, after listening to the Midmorning show today. It was eye opening.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Sounds like magic.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kariskoett
"All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else."
-Buddha
A "professional drunk driver," huh? Sounds pretty scary to me...
People thinking they know their limit is pretty stupid, in my opinion. Once you start drinking, you become less aware of yourself and your abilities. It's just the way it is. Most people have no clue how capable they really are at doing tasks such as driving.
Even one drink WILL lower your reaction time. Don't drive after drinking.
Many people do this and it is a very bad thing. I do not do this because I don't have a license but I still wouldn't if I did. I'm not a big fan of going out and drinking, I normally stay home. I guess it depends on the person. I don't drink often though maybe once a month or less often than that. I will wake up every hour and my stomach is sensitive so I get sick frequently even without drinking.
You have good points here. I saw this commerical and it was a great commerical. This guy had a monster truck and when one of his friends were going to drive drunk he would run over their car with the monster truck. That commerical was great.
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!
I haven't seen that one. There are some great ad campaigns out there, and pretty much everyone knows you shouldn't drive drunk, but I don't think very many people realize that one shouldn't drive at all if there has been any amount of alcohol consumed. I think a lot of people think, "I'm fine to drive" after a drink or two. With .08, it's not always so easy to tell, because .08 doesn't feel drunk at all. The only safe approach is an all or nothing approach. If you are driving, don't even have one drink. And I'm guilty of the same thing I just complained about. I just hadn't given it much thought until I heard the show today.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Used to drive drunk with me in the car when we were first dating. We almost wrecked a few times. He wrecked himself into a fense another time. I used to hate him for this so much. I have grown up around alcoholics like my grandfather. It runs bad in my family. I drank and did enough prescription drugs and pot to last a lifetime when I was 16. I really am glad I don't drink as much as I used to.
I could not find the commerical but this is a song about drunk driving. I hate simple plan but the song has a very good message and it is sad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2lhkCQkhu8
I'm glad you finally realised this and hopefully many people will before it is too late.
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!
This is pretty shocking to some people I'm sure, because most would think they're "fine" after two drinks.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
I've had trouble with this law.
What do you think about open-container laws? Has your city council passed any of those? They're brutal...
"Children, parents, senior citizens (with a good back and great kneecaps) neeed to get on a BIKE!!! A BIKE!!!!! A BIKE!!!!! A BIKE !!!!!" -- NASAscifi
You mean, that you can't drive with an open container in the car? Yes, we have those. I'm a fan of those, because, really? You can't wait until you reach your destination to pop open a cold one? That might be a problem.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Here in Wyoming we recently got a state-wide open container law. A lot of people don't like it. The University of Wyoming is clear on the southern side of the state. It is a long drive for most of us. But there are a lot of loyal Cowboys fans who go to most home games. Before our new law, it was common for a mini-van full of fans to drink a few beers on the way to the game. As long as the driver stays sober I don't see this as a problem.
...that used to be the open container law. As long has the driver's BAC was below .04, open containers were legal. I know they've been trying to change that for a long time. It's one of the many laws in which the federal government withholds funding if the state does not comply. I can't really find a definite answer, but I think they have changed it to say that no alcoholic beverage can be in a motor vehicle unless it's in the trunk. In my opinion, I always thought it was pretty sad if people couldn't wait to get to their destination to have a drink.
-Sonja :)
"Democracy works only when you vote. When you don't take the time to vote for the candidate you find the least offensive, you run the risk of electing the candidate you find the most offensive."
That's a good way to look at it.
And plus, an open container is a possible spill hazard! Let's not ruin the inside of the car, people!
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
Are you one of those people with a like-new-condition car that's really ten years old, but you keep it so pristinely clean that it maintains its new car smell? Because if you are, I don't think we can be friends. You wouldn't want to be associated with the likes of me. A spilled alcoholic beverage in MY car would just neutralize the smell of moldy cheese stick trapped under The Princess' safety seat. Or it would be absorbed by all the discarded mapquest printouts and rough drafts on the floor.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
What I hate about that law is if I were to have a bottle of wine with dinner somewhere and not finish it, I wouldn't mind the option of being able to take the rest home instead of having to dump the whole bottle. Even a bottle of vodka, it is illegal to be in the car with a bottle that has had the seal broken, regardless of whether I was drinking it or not.
I have put it in a bag in the trunk. I don't think that's legal either, but if you are sober and it's locked in the trunk, I think most officers would give you a pass. But really, I don't face this situation often, as my friends and I have a rule that once it passes the threshold, it belongs to the host. It's an etiquette thing.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I thought that it was a national law on open containers
"my first name must be, "He aint sh@t", cause everytime I come through, yall be like "He aint sh@t"!....I'll be dat" --Redman
"Anything that can go wrong, Will go wrong"----Murphy's Law
Come on, that makes us sound downright fat. We're not fat. We're tall. Really tall. And I have broad shoulders. OK? I HAVE BIG BONES! Jeez. I need a drink.
Cuz I wouldn't let you drive.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
*snicker*
You aren't that much taller than me. EW, on the other hand...
I'm from Wisconsin, which is the number one drunk-driving state! Us "Cheese Heads" really know how to party! Too bad we all insist on driving ourselves home afterwords.
Yes, I'll admit it ~ I once drove while I was "tipsy." It freaked me out badly enough that I never did again, and never plan on doing it again.
The fact is that once someone has had a few drinks, you really don't have much of a way of knowing how far gone you are without testing it, as described in this blog. You might feel fine, but that doesn't mean you are. Sure, maybe you can drive just fine, as long as nothing strange happens on the road such as an animal jumping in front of you, or something like that. However, don't risk it. Have someone else drive.
Not too long ago, I would go out quite often, have a few drinks, and then drive home. For the past year, I have completely changed my ways. Even if someone were to CAUSE an accident, even if I only had a little bit, I can be held responsible - even if I am below the .08 limit. The risks are just too great anymore to drive even after one.
The show I listened to didn't mention that, so I didn't think of that scenario. Thanks for adding it!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
this post got my attention. i saw a public service announcement that showed a couple of people in the beginning who were laughing so hard and doing really clumsy things. you just knew from looking at them they were drunk. then the camera cut to a teenage party where you saw a girl who had been drinking a beer and she didn't look really drunk. she grabbed her keys and waved goodbye to her friends. the announcer said something like "buzz drinking while driving still counts as drunk driving."
also, this brought up an event i went to at a mansion in hunt valley. it was my community college's 50th anniversary gala, and it was one incredible night of elegance, even better than my prom. so much better, in fact. everyone was dressed to the nines- cocktail dresses, suits, tuxedos, and a few ballgowns (like the one i wore)- fine dining, a live band, dancing. there were some men in tuxes that were serving champagne glasses with strawberries in them. i never had an alcoholic drink in my life until that night. i had ONE glass. i felt a little perky/tipsy after i finished it, but then dinner was served and i drank about three glasses of water that night. so i really didn't feel drunk at all.
however, in the state of maryland the drinking age is 21. i'm 19. but it was just the one time. i liked it. but i was still thinking straight and i thought, i can't have another one or i'd lose it. if i had a second or third, i knew someone would notice that i was drinking and i would have been expelled, or worse arrested.
good thing i don't have a drivers licence. i still don't drive. a friend drove me back to campus and dad gave me a ride home.
my secret! tell anyone at your own risk!
I didn't mean it that way...Lets say that you manage to Lindsay Lohan it back home w/o destroying families or property, but you do get pulled over. If you were going to school to be a teacher, social worker, attorney, doctor, nurse, or anything else requiring a license, you will have waisted a whole lot of money on your education. State licensing boards not only check your criminal records, but require you to sign a statement that you have never engaged in activity of "Moral Turpitude." If you have a DUI, good luck. Lot of time and money to have a nice life and help others/society, but a lot of jobs worth having require a license to practice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_turpitude
That's my point. Why risk it? It's not worth it for a whole host of reasons.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Lindsay Lohan it back home cracked me up.
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~Fallon~
An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't- A. France
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Awesome that you've re-examined drinking and driving. That's always been my big thing; no drinking anything and driving, no exceptions. When we were growing up, mom was adamant that we not drink and drive. If we, or friends, had been drinking, she took keys and called parents to let them know no one was leaving the house until the next morning. She'd rather us have been drinking at home than killing people because we were too idiotic to be responsible. After attending the funeral of a fellow student who was killed because his girlfriend thought drinking and driving was a good idea, I had a whole new appreciation for that rule. Since being on our own, we've had the same rule. I'd rather be overly cautious than risk it.
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~Fallon~
An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't- A. France
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it just might be the stupidest thing anyone can do. i don't care what you know and what you think you know. i know people have died, due to one drink. they only killed themselves. no one else. but who is to say that they didn't have more to do here? only their friends and family who miss them.
Yours truly,
amp;
.demosthenes
Codos to you for actually thinking about what you did and what was a stake.
Its amazing how people do what their told not to do. Why is it that were prone to do the stuff that isn't healthy for us. For instance, it is scientifically proven that smoking is BAD for you, yet teens still try it and then sadly get addicted. Its strange that they more dangerous something is, the more likely that it is going to be tried. ??
The next time you do something dangerous, may be your last; by then it may be too late.