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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do many of you drink ( within the legal anount) and drive?

212 replies

RebornFlame · 22/08/2019 20:05

Round here we have no public transport and taxis close up shop about 8/9pm. Most people I know will be a designated driver but often have a pint and then soft drinks. Some a bit more. Non off thier face drunk. I’m a fairly new driver so usually I’ll abstain or have a drink if I know it’s hours before I’m going to drink. What’s normal for you and your area?

OP posts:
RickJames · 22/08/2019 20:49

I must add that i think drink-biking is also very silly. Have you ever tried to ride a bike after drinking? Mostly people just hurt themselves but it could equally cause a big traffic accident or run down a person.

LiveFatsDieYoGnu · 22/08/2019 20:51

No - I get tipsy easily and it’s just not worth the risk.

billy1966 · 22/08/2019 20:52

Not a drop.
Enjoy a drink so it's only an annoyance to have a taste.
Would rather not bother.

Yogagirl123 · 22/08/2019 20:52

I wouldn’t risk it. Not worth it.

Drabarni · 22/08/2019 20:54

I don't drive but my dh and ds's x2 don't touch a drop of alcohol if driving as their work involves lots of long distance driving.
They don't drive like cunts either, that's more important than alcohol consumption imo.

nonevernotever · 22/08/2019 20:55

Just wanted to add that I don't know for sure but I think the only reason the Scottish limit isn't zero is to account for unthinking intake - mouthwash or cough medicine for instance.

Greatnorthwoods · 22/08/2019 20:57

I think a Number of posters here seem to be forgetting that alcohol works through your system and the effects wear off- if you have a pint at 7pm and drive home at 11 that pint has cleared your system. There was no virtue in not having one at all.

A 330ml beer is 1.5 units, in theory you could drink 4-6 of those in a day and still be able to drive that evening

stimulatemymind · 22/08/2019 20:57

I personally don't drink at all if I'm driving. Pubs etc also can have drinks mixed to different strength.Plus you have to remember that your still over the limit the following day.

SerenDippitty · 22/08/2019 20:58

I will have one small glass of wine and only if eating too.

LolaSmiles · 22/08/2019 20:58

I used to have one small glass of wine with a meal around 5:30/6pm and then soft drinks until 1030/11pm when I'd go home or a small glass of fizz at a BBQ around lunch before driving home 6pm.

Now I don't have anything. I drink so infrequently anyway.

Ohflippineck · 22/08/2019 21:01

Just don’t. I had one glass of white wine, once, 21 years ago before having to drive unexpectedly. I was under the limit, no harm was done but I could feel the difference (Cornish coastal town, very narrow streets). Never had a glass and driven within 12 hours since, couldn’t live with myself if I hurt someone.

FoxFoxSierra · 22/08/2019 21:05

I don't drink at all if I'm driving but I'm a total lightweight so would feel drunk on 1 small glass of wine Blush

RachelEllenR · 22/08/2019 21:06

Yes I'll have one glass of wine and drive a few hours later

Passthecherrycoke · 22/08/2019 21:07

“Pubs etc also can have drinks mixed to different strength.”

They can’t Shock that would be completely illegal

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 22/08/2019 21:08

I will have 1 drink and drive (a cocktail or a mixer-
Never wine, too strong) and usually eating too.

HandsOffMyRights · 22/08/2019 21:09

I won't even have one, yet I know people (including relatives) who do.

As a child in the 70s and 80s my dad would drink multiple pints (sometimes 6) and still drive us. As an adult with kids I find this outrageous. Especially as we didn't always drive with belts either and often we'd have somebody in the boot (usually me) so two families could all go to the pub in one car.
This was normal for my family, yet now I wonder just what my parents were thinking to be so reckless.

Damntheman · 22/08/2019 21:09

There's no wiggle room in Norway but I still wouldn't touch alcohol if I was driving. It's just not worth the risk to someone's life for me to have a beer. Not even slightly worth it.

amy85 · 22/08/2019 21:26

Yea I'll have one or two then drive....I obviously wouldn't drink straight after but see no issue in what I do

Saracen · 23/08/2019 07:19

No, I don't drink at all if I am going to drive. Any amount of alcohol is going to impair my ability a little bit.

Reading what I just wrote, I guess that just means I don't love alcohol very much. There are other small risks that I do take in life which I think are worthwhile.

Sockwomble · 23/08/2019 07:32

I don't know anyone of my age or younger who drives after drinking. I have a few older relatives who will drink several pints and drive ( and then moan when they get done for drink driving).

cliffdiver · 23/08/2019 07:34

I've had a sip of fizz during the toast at a celebration event and then driven, but I would never have a proper drink and then drive.

I don't think I would be comfortable driving after one drink.

I have friends who will have one drink and then drive, and then others who won't have anything. IME, having a drink and then driving does seem to be more acceptable in rural areas.

AmIThough · 23/08/2019 07:34

I might have one if I'm out in the afternoon (and eating) and know I won't need to drive for a few hours.

If you're a new driver I definitely wouldn't though. Wait until you're more confident/know the roads better.

OtraCosaMariposa · 23/08/2019 07:36

Before the limit was reduced in Scotland yes I would - glass of wine with a meal or something. But now the limit is so slow I can't risk it.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 23/08/2019 07:37

Dh may have a pint shandy depending on the occasion.

But for the majority no he doesn’t.

Aligater33 · 23/08/2019 07:38

Drank a bottle of wine and drove before 🤭