How many people here have driven drunk?

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Dion

It takes 2 people to start a pissing contest.

You are right. I shouldn't let him bait me.

[Berger_4_]

I'll admit it...I have driven when I was drunk enough I don't really remember the drive home. In fact, I ended up in the hospital after hitting the ditch and getting hypothermia (it was forty below and I didn't have a coat, hat or phone...was just going to drop my sister off and head back to the party). I wish I could say that changed me (well it did for a while) but it's happened since then. It's nothing I'm particularly proud about, but when you're alone and impaired and looking at an hour long walk or a 10 minute drive on an empty street..well driving doesn't look like a bad option.

[The Fonz]

I've driven drunk quite a bit.

My only justification is that I grew up in Saskatchewan, and the driving took place on back roads. There wasn't anything/anyone to hit for miles, and we'd cruise along at 30km/h in the country.

I don't do it anymore.

[JustAnotherGuy]

Maybe the poll could be changed to.

'For the people who drink alcohol. Have you ever driven drunk, or believed that you might have been drunk?'

[Berger_4_]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I've driven drunk quite a bit.

My only justification is that I grew up in Saskatchewan, and the driving took place on back roads. There wasn't anything/anyone to hit for miles, and we'd cruise along at 30km/h in the country.

I don't do it anymore.

Yeah that's what most of my experiences were like (did it once in Calgary). It's not as big of a deal out in the country...I don't find drunk driving anywhere near as bad as most people from the city do.

[Joborule]

Just gotten my license and under GDL. So I can't have alcohol period. I may drink one two-three hours prior. But that has only happen a couple times.

[Phanuthier]

Its interesting that most of the "yes" replies are ones where someone goes whoops, I might have had 3 instead of 2 (limit). Zero tolerance, period would solve that but it sucks for those of us that only have 1 drink (and I usually wait 30 min with a limit of 1 drink before I get behind the wheel... never know how precise those breathalizer test things are I guess and as a < 25 year old male, if I get caught anywhere close to a DUI, I'm screwed).

EDIT: Actually, there was one time... between 6:00-6:30, I had 8 drinks, then between 7:30-8:30 I had 2 drinks. I drove home at 4am... I don't think I was drunk, but now that I think about it, I could have been pushing pretty close that one time.

[Swarly]

Originally Posted by Berger_4_

It's not as big of a deal out in the country...I don't find drunk driving anywhere near as bad as most people from the city do.

It's crazy how different the views are about alcohol and driving from the city to small towns. I had a friend from the Yukon and a bunch of his buddies were in town, we were drinking at his place then heading to the bar. As we were leaving everyone grabbed a couple beers to drink in the car on the way there. I couldnt believe it, that thought had never crossed my mind at all because we all know how wrong it is in the city. The driver hadn't been drinking tho so I went with it.

[ResAlien]

Anyone running through this, please read post #124. I don't want anyone to have to deal with what I've had to. If that post doesn't at the very least make you realise the fallacy of "oh I've never driven drunk", well then, shine on I guess.

And yes, some of you are angels and have never done anything wrong. That's fine, and I respect that. This is more for the guys who say "nah, I mean, I've been a bit tipsy, but I was totally fine to drive."

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Berger_4_

Yeah that's what most of my experiences were like (did it once in Calgary). It's not as big of a deal out in the country...I don't find drunk driving anywhere near as bad as most people from the city do.

It's easier to rationalize out in rural areas, I think.

The roads are basically deserted after 10 O'clock, there's little to no chance of getting caught, and there is no public transportation.

If I and 3 of my closest buddies went out for the night, it would take the designated driver an extra half hour plus each way to pick and drop everyone off. So, occasionally corners got cut.

[onetwo_threefour]

When I was in my early twenties I worked in Motel Village and lived across Bow Trail from the Shaganappi Golf Course. I would get just hammered then go home down Crowchild in the middle of the night...

On my bike...

I'm lucky I never killed myself, there're a couple of nasty hills along the way. I suppose I was technically putting others at risk but I don't think it's as bad.

As for driving, I have only ever driven once where I even thought it was possible I might be close to the limit. Had 4 drinks in a little over two hours and then drove maybe 45 minutes later. However, I have a pretty good spare tire going and I doubt I was at 0.08. Even so I felt guilty in that case and wouldn't do it again.

[Berger_4_]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

It's easier to rationalize out in rural areas, I think.

The roads are basically deserted after 10 O'clock, there's little to no chance of getting caught, and there is no public transportation.

If I and 3 of my closest buddies went out for the night, it would take the designated driver an extra half hour plus each way to pick and drop everyone off. So, occasionally corners got cut.

Exactly...hell I've had my parents give me tips on a couple back roads to take home. That's not to say they're awful people though, as they've come and picked me up at stupid hours of the night when I had no business driving, plus the sense to call them.

Originally Posted by Swarly

It's crazy how different the views are about alcohol and driving from the city to small towns. I had a friend from the Yukon and a bunch of his buddies were in town, we were drinking at his place then heading to the bar. As we were leaving everyone grabbed a couple beers to drink in the car on the way there. I couldnt believe it, that thought had never crossed my mind at all because we all know how wrong it is in the city. The driver hadn't been drinking tho so I went with it.

Yeah that's pretty common haha. Hell booze cruising leads to some of the best nights. It's a really bad idea when you think about it, but man...nothing like getting loaded and having someone drive you around while all the passengers (and maybe the driver) pound beers. I feel bad for kids who don't get to experience what it's like to live in the middle of futbucking nowhere haha.

[Montana Moe]

I've driven drunk too many times to remember, unfortunately. I don't do it anymore since I have a family, and a good job that I would likely lose due to the requirement of a Commercial Drivers License.

I've been pulled over twice, once in New Orleans, and once here in Billings.
In New Orleans, I got out of the ticket using the military "old boy's network." I was an active duty Marine, the officer was former Navy. He knew how badly a DUI can ruin your life in the military, so he let me go. He did follow me back to the base to ensure I got home safely.

In Billings, I performed the field sobriety test, explained that I was a block away from home, and the deputy let me go.

I realize now what a bonehead I was.
I'd like to say I never drive if I've had any alcohol at all, but that would be dishonest. If I'm going out drinking, I don't drive. If I have one or two with dinner, I still do occasionally. My wife offers to drive if there is any concern.

[3 Justin 3]

I have never driven drunk and never will. The most I do is 2 beers from the bar then drive home (at the bar for 1-2 hours and eat 40 chicken wings), and I won't get buzzed until at least beer 4 or 5 depending on it.

Why drink and drive? I find 1 or 2 beers with 40 wings over a 2 hour period is fine, as I don't feel a thing. But if your blitzed like I see some people come to my pizza place, then leave and drive home, why? Call a cab.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Only once when I was 16 and only 5km between my house in the country and a friends house...and that scared the living p*ss out of me...never again

[jayswin]

It's interesting how every response in this thread is "I did it, but now I wouldn't think of it". I'm not saying that not everyone in here is telling the truth, but...........well yeah, that is what I'm saying.

[lucky1]

Used to drive drunk a fair amount in my teens (over 20 years ago now), but had a pretty close call that pounded some sense into my thick skull.
One summer night after drinking at a bar downtown, ended up leaving elbow drive and parking my car on some poor ladies front steps, with the nose almost holding the front door shut. This was after using the car to remove some fencing, trim some hedges and attempt to move a rather large tree.
The ambulance driver and police on the scene both agreed that I (and my bro who was a passenger) were the luckiest SOB's on the planet that night.
I broke my wrist pretty badly and my brother had the neatest bruise in the exact shape of the seatbelt.
I had nightmares for about a year after that....to this day I still thank my lucky stars that I didnt kill anyone

[Yrebmi]

A real problem with drunk driving is that it is an incredibly stupid act that no one would do sober.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by flameswin

It's interesting how every response in this thread is "I did it, but now I wouldn't think of it". I'm not saying that not everyone in here is telling the truth, but...........well yeah, that is what I'm saying.

Well, part of that is how attitudes change over time. 15-20 years ago it didn't have the social implications it does now. Back then you were just wild and crazy instead of inconsiderate, selfish, and irresponsible.

That's not to say some people might not be softening their stories a bit. However that all leads to why I started a poll- I was pretty sure the numbers would be higher; but it still shows that most of us have driven drunk at some point. And that is what I was saying in the other thread, society as a whole needs to do more to combat drunk driving.

[Montana Moe]

I wish my city had a better public transportation system, I really think it would help reduce DUI. Buses, which are not a popular form of transportation here in the first place, stop running at 10pm.

My brother is the ultimate jerkoff, just pled guilty to DUI #4 last week.

He'll probably get some house arrest, a suspended license for a year or two, and have to attend the same alcohol awareness classes that he's been to 3 times already. Punishment for DUI in Montana is a joke.