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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To drink drive my neighbour to hospital?

159 replies

hanette · 15/11/2013 00:08

So, had 2x 25 CL glasses of wine in pub w DH. He goes on to meet friend, I go to put D teenagers to bed.

Knock at door 11.10pm, neighbour asking me to take to A and E in car due to plummeting blood pressure and severe pains in left arm

I did - adrenaline kicked in - I tried to persuade them to call an ambulance or wait for my DH but they were so distressed I just took them in my car

Am shocked - am a rubbish driver anyway and have never driven after more than one glass of wine

So - was I over the limit? I had a plate of salmon and veg for din. And also WWTD?

Am shocked at myself and how I deffo felt different (less safe) behind the wheel.

OP posts:
Original poster
hanette · 15/11/2013 00:09

Ps if there are any medics, what do you think is wrong with her? She looked terrible

OP posts:
lagoonhaze · 15/11/2013 00:10

glad you didnt kill anyway ffs

lessonsintightropes · 15/11/2013 00:11

Yes you were over the limit and no it wasn't a brilliant idea but... If it had saved her life there might have been an argument for it. I live somewhere with quick and easy taxi access but in a rural area or small town yanbu, hard to see what else you could have done in an emergency as long as you were careful and only a couple of glasses in. Suspect I'm a minority view holder though.

Canthisonebeused · 15/11/2013 00:12

I think you should have called an ambulance rather than drive. Glad you didn't kill anyone.

Hope neighbour is ok?

Ecuador · 15/11/2013 00:12

Tricky, I would say no to driving and call an ambulance but if you are in a rural area that might have taken ages. On the whole you probably shouldn't have as you could have caused a further, more serious incident to occur but I guess what is done is done. How far was the drive?

Could be a heart attack? Hope she is ok Sad.

BOF · 15/11/2013 00:12

You were well over the limit, yes. Why not call a taxi, and go with, if need be?

lessonsintightropes · 15/11/2013 00:12

Could have been heart attack or angina - how did she know about blood pressure btw?

Vikki88 · 15/11/2013 00:13

The end result was worth the crime, IMO.

Original poster
hanette · 15/11/2013 00:14

You are all right, I shouldn't have done it. I am awaiting news. But I'm in a city so should have waited for an ambulance I suppose. No I didn't kill anyone...

OP posts:
Ecuador · 15/11/2013 00:15

How big are 25cl glasses? If they are big glasses of wine is that definitely over the limit? I don't know as I never drink unless it is a thimblefull 7 hours before we are due to leave a party.

I might take a stronger view on this if you were really actually drunk?

Punkatheart · 15/11/2013 00:15

I had a friend killed by a drunk driver, so no - I cannot think this is right. A taxi would have been fine.

Ecuador · 15/11/2013 00:15

City, then you should definitely have called an ambulance.

Littledidsheknow · 15/11/2013 00:16

You have the mitigating circumstances of having your heart in the right place, but you could have killed/ injured your neighbours, yourself or other road user/ pedestrian. If it was genuinely an emergency, you could have called an ambulance! Sorry, you meant well, but YWBU!

WorraLiberty · 15/11/2013 00:16

Sorry but that's just ridiculous

If you even thought you might have been over the limit you should have called an ambulance or a taxi.

And lessonsintightropes what do you mean there might be an argument for it if the OP saved a life?

She put her sick neighbour's life at risk, her own life at risk and any number of other road users at risk.

Original poster
hanette · 15/11/2013 00:16

She had some sort if kit to test bloop pressure. I have always thought (hoped) I'd react we'll in an emergency but I know I didn't

OP posts:
AngelsLieToKeepControl · 15/11/2013 00:17

Why bother persuading your neighbour to call an ambulance? You should have just called one rather than putting yourself, your neighbour and God knows who else at risk.

Things turned out alright, luckily, but it could easily have gone the other way.

eightandthreequarters · 15/11/2013 00:18

Sometimes you can't do all the right things at once. You made your choice and maybe it was best in the circumstances. I also think you should have called an ambulance, but you didn't, and your neighbour may be alive because you drove them to hospital.

You don't sound like you intend to make a habit of driving drunk!

So... don't worry about it. Over and done with. Focus on your neighbour's health now.

Original poster
hanette · 15/11/2013 00:20

Thank you eight. And to all of you also - I know you are right, last time I do that.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 15/11/2013 00:22

I really don't get the 'logic' that the neighbour may be alive because (to use the OP's own words) a 'Shit driver' who 'deffo felt different and less safe behind the wheel'...drove her to hospital.

She could just as well have been killed by the OP!

Canthisonebeused · 15/11/2013 00:22

Seriously it is never best in any circumstances to drink drive

WorraLiberty · 15/11/2013 00:23

Anyway, you've learned your lesson and I hope your neighbour recovers quickly OP Thanks

Hopasholic · 15/11/2013 00:24

Well you're obviously a glutton for punishment after going through all that then choosing to post the question on AIBU Smile

I have no idea how big a 25cl glass of wine is. I thought that was a spirit size measure?

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 15/11/2013 00:25

I'll just ask my killed by a drunk driver dead cousin's now disabled single parent partner and 4 fatherless children whether they think you should have done it or not. Hmm

nennypops · 15/11/2013 00:26

You could check whether you were legal by a website such as this one - www.rupissed.com/ I tried it making some wild guesses but based on two large glasses of wine, and it suggested that by around 3 hours after when you started drinking you may be feeling a bit tipsy but wouldn't be illegal.

JohnnyBarthes · 15/11/2013 00:27

Generally speaking, ambulance with proper paramedics would be best. Driving after drinking two thirds of a bottle of wine is a bad idea.

Having said that, being sober is no guarantee of not being an utter cock, on the roads or off. Needs must, OP.