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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Comfortable drink drive limits

121 replies

Teapot74 · 25/02/2015 15:42

I do not agree with drink driving. I don't think it's clever to drink the max amount and stay under the limit. I know the ideal is zero. Just trying to work out If my perception of drinking and driving is safe enough. 1 small glass of wine, 2 if it's over a longer period. I know the only way to really find out would be with a breathalyser, just wondering what the general consensus was. I'm not small. I just looked up a breathalyser website and it suggested that 3 large glasses in the evening could put you over in the morning, really???? Maybe if you necked them at 10/11 but if you're drinking over the course of the evening…?

OP posts:

MaryWestmacott · 26/02/2015 13:43

Oh and it's worth noting as well, whenever the government or agencies start spreading clearly scientific bullshit ideas, like that you need to start the clock at the point you finish the last drink, that you'll be unsafe to drive until the follow afternoon for most people etc then people start ignoring the message entirely.

Original poster

Teapot74 · 26/02/2015 14:32

Am now more concerned about the morning after than the 1 glass at lunch. At least with the 1 glass at lunch I have a more definite idea of how much is in my body. Think the only answer is to buy a breathalyser.

OP posts:

MQv2 · 26/02/2015 15:42

"Unless you are going to say "don't drive for 24 hours after a glass of wine" then at some point, working out when the effect has worn off is worth thinking about. "

Which I think is most people's point on this thread.
I'm in the "I won't have even one if I'm driving" camp, but I still need to know when I will become safe again.
Not because I'm desperate to sail as close to the limit while still being able to drive. But because I do drink alcohol and I also drive to work etc the next day and don't want to be unknowingly drink driving.
But as you say if people are going to start saying wait 9 hours after one bottle of beer or anything like that, then most will recognise that as being bullshit and ignore it.

ChaiseLounger · 26/02/2015 16:21

I drive after having a huge dinner and a small glass of wine.
I don't worry about bring over the limit in the morning either.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 26/02/2015 16:25

I know a few people who have bought one OP, or at least have used the ones they had to buy for their last holiday in France, where you have to have one in the car.

A word of caution though, Which did a test and found a lot of the ones on the market were rubbish.

Original poster

Teapot74 · 26/02/2015 17:09

I heard the cheaper disposable ones were unreliable but that the alcosense one was OK. I've ordered one from Boots. Will be v interesting to try it out when drinking and not driving. It should at least give some indication.

OP posts:

Almostfifty · 26/02/2015 17:13

I was out last night. Left the car at home, as I don't drink and drive.

I only had a large glass of wine and a G&T. According to the website linked above, I would have been able to drive safely, even here in Scotland, after two and a half hours.

I don't think anyone who has two or three large glasses of wine before midnight is going to have a problem by morning.

TattyDevine · 26/02/2015 17:18

I've got an Alcosense breathalizer

I can drink 1 glass (175ml) with a lunch and be safely under (.05, the limit is 0.8) or a 250ml glass (of wine this is) at dinner and be the same (presumably because I've had more food during the day, which is the single biggest factor in impact I've noticed).

At .05 I really don't feel at all impaired and really do feel it is safe to drive.

At .08 I'm starting to feel a little chilled, and for that reason I think our more liberal drink driving laws here in England might want reviewing.

With this breathalyzer I've also learned that the next morning thing is probably whipped up by the media a little, though of course it varies among people.

3 glasses the night before and I blow zero.

In fact, I went out the other night and it got a bit raucous, there was wine, Prosecco, vodka, tequila rose and all sorts, and I got in at 3am. Husband was asking me around midday if I'd go to Waitrose while he did something, and I said I better brethalize because I'm certain I'm still pissed as a neut. I blew zero.

So definitely not an exact science and the only way to know is to measure it with a reliable breathalizer.

RedRugNoniMouldiesEtc · 26/02/2015 22:47

Caryam, not at all sneary, it's true. If guidelines are overly complex many people are put off and don't try to apply them. Simple and achievable calculations are most successful.

Out0fCheeseError · 27/02/2015 03:47

To anyone relying on personal breathalysers, can I just point out this study published a few months ago, showing the alcosense elite breathalyser would give a falsely reassuring reading 1 time in 10, and the Alcosense single gave a falsely reassuring result 3 times in 4!

link

Abra1d · 27/02/2015 09:02

This has been a very interesting thread and it is good that those of us who have said we like a small glass of wine with a long meal have not been treated as though we are admitting to drinking multiple cocktails and jumping behind the wheel. I was once accused of endangering badgers and hedgehogs on another MN thread.

Interesting about the breathalyser reliability study . . .

Original poster

Teapot74 · 28/02/2015 09:04

That's disappointing re alcosense. If the personal ones are so inaccurate I wonder if the police ones are any better? I am hoping it will give me some indication when used alongside common sense.

OP posts:

Perfectlypurple · 28/02/2015 09:30

The police ones of course will be accurate. What nonsense to suggest otherwise. They have to have certain checks regularly. The ones at the roadside are just an indication. When you get to the station you go on a more accurate one.

I find it strange that people like to know how much they can legally drink so they can drive. Even after a couple of drinks your reactions will be slower, even if under the limit.

I could drink 5 or 6 vodkas and feel fine to drive but be over the limit. If I had one small glass of wine I would most likely to be under the limit but would feel more impaired than if I had drunk the 5 or 6 vodkas. So by a lot of the reasoning here I should drive after the wine as I would be under the limit. I never would as I know I would be impaired.

Original poster

Teapot74 · 28/02/2015 16:10

So perfect, you're saying it's rubbish that the police ones may also give inaccurate readings but they have more accurate ones at the station? Sounds a bit contradictory to me. I am merely suggesting if it's so difficult to sell an accurate breathalyser where do the police get theirs??? I am sure the only truly accurate measure is through a blood test which is what I believe they do at the station? I'm sure that many of us have slower reactions after a bad nights sleep but still drive and don't get me started on the number of deaths caused by the elderly. But that is off topic.

OP posts:

LindyHemming · 28/02/2015 16:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Perfectlypurple · 28/02/2015 20:14

I am saying that the ones by the road side are accurate but not used for evidential readings. The station ones are the ones used for evidence, although both are calibrated so are both accurate. They are calibrated regularly and have to be done at certain intervals so that the readings are correct. At the roadside it gives a reading on the machine. At the station you do 2 breath analysis tests and it prints out the 2 readings. They work in the lower of the 2 readings. You can opt for blood if you want to.

Perfectlypurple · 28/02/2015 20:17

And, if people want to risk driving when they have been drinking then fine, but they also have to accept the consequences of that. like someone mentioned up thread about the speed awareness course and excuses. Can you imagine saying to a parent of a child that has been killed that you thought you would be ok, that although you had drunk alcohol you didn't think you would be over the limit etc

I also don't drive if I am really tired, or ill. I have been feeling a bit crappy today, a bit of dizziness etc. I had to go out so I got the bus.

SelfconfessedSpoonyFucker · 28/02/2015 21:14

oh ma gerd. So if you ingest any alcohol at all you will never be able to look that mother in the face. Well I have news, I struck a cyclist, it was totally and utterly his fault and the witnesses said so. He crossed against a red light and popped out from in front of a big SUV and cycled into me. I still cried and felt so guilty and paid for his helmet to be replaced and his bike to be fixed.

I hope none of you had vanilla in that ice-cream you ate, it is made with alcohol as are many flavourings.

Obviously there is a point where ingesting a certain amount is safe -- e.g. swilling with mouthwash. There is a point where it is completely unsafe and there is a big grey area in the middle.

ScotsWhaHae · 28/02/2015 21:30

Why put yourself in that grey area when it's easily avoided?

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 28/02/2015 23:26

Well it's not actually a grey area - that's why the Scottish limit isn't 0. You can use mouthwash, take a bit of a rescue remedy (distilled with brandy) or have a slice of Christmas cake and not be over the limit.

SelfconfessedSpoonyFucker · 01/03/2015 03:26

right, but the way people are talking, any amount is wrong... and if you take that to extremes then mouthwash and Christmas cake will have you not being able to face mothers.

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