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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have a drink and drive?

144 replies

Drinkinndrive · 02/09/2025 12:14

About 18 months ago I moved a 10 min drive away from my previous house, it was in a nice little village where there are some social events that I used to attend.
Every month I go to a quiz night in my old village, when I lived there I'd have one or 2 drinks sometimes and walk home but now that I have to drive I rarely have a drink now.
Except maybe once every 3rd month or so I fancy a gin so I have a single gin & tonic always when I first get there and the night ends at least 2 but sometimes 2 1/2 hours later and then I drive home.

If I've ever mentioned having a drink to my DP he has a go at me saying I shouldn't ever touch a drink if im driving and I completely agree as a general rule but I only have 1 (I've looked up the units and as far as I am aware it wouldn't put me over the limit) I always have something to eat too and I've never felt tipsy/drunk after this one drink.

There is no backstory, im not an alcoholic, i rarely drink at all (for context I brought a bottle of gin maybe 6 months ago and it is in my cupboard about a quarter drunk) I never drink while out at a restaurant etc and I don't go on nights out, this one quiz night a month is my night out 🤣

So be honest am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
Kreepture · 02/09/2025 12:46

Weren't they talking about lowering the english blood alcohol reading to be inline with scotland?

I mean.. do what you feel is right, personally, i would rather not, it just isn't worth the risk if anything does happen/you get pulled over and breathalysed.

incognitomouse · 02/09/2025 12:48

I don't drink at all when I am driving as I am never confident about how many units, and to lose my license would be earth shattering for us, so it's easier to abstain. If I want to drink I walk or get a lift/Uber. DH will have a pint and drink but I just prefer not to have any. I have no strong feelings about other people who choose to have a glass of wine and drive, it's just personal choice at the end of the day.

Rustymoo · 02/09/2025 12:49

. Having a single G&T and driving 2 hours afterwards you’ll be fine. Personally I don’t drink at all if I’m driving, just personal choice.

tigger1001 · 02/09/2025 12:50

I wouldn't. Just not worth the risk. If I'm driving then it's only soft drinks for me

SummerFrog25 · 02/09/2025 12:50

TheCurious0range · 02/09/2025 12:34

That's so lovely of your husband to offer to drop you off and pick you up......

🤣🤣👍🏻

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 02/09/2025 12:53

You won't be over the limit if it's only one and then you don't drive for two hours.

Gordon's do a really good no-alcohol gin, it's the best substitute one I've ever had. Our local pub stocks it, with tonic, ice and lemon you really can't taste the difference. If your pub doesn't stock it, ask them to.

dogcatkitten · 02/09/2025 12:55

I agree you will be legal, but why bother? If one drink has absolutely no effect just have the tonic. Have a drink when you get home if you fancy one.

SummerFrog25 · 02/09/2025 12:57

YANBU to have a single Gin & drive 2 hours later. Not at all.

If DP is whinging on about it, tell him you'd be fine with him picking you up if he feels so strongly or to STFU - you're an adult who can make their own decisionS.

But honestly, can you even taste the Gin in a pub single? Do you actually enjoy it?

Dutchhouse14 · 02/09/2025 12:57

I think one single measure drink is below the limit,just make sure it's on a full stomach and there's a delay before driving.
Having said that even one drink can impair your reaction times.
But IRL people do just have a small glass of wine with dinner etc then drive.

ClaredeBear · 02/09/2025 12:58

Personally, I’m zero tolerance on drinking/driving - but I respect that our law isn't and what you describe shouldn’t put you over the limit. But yeah, couldn’t your husband give you a lift occasionally? That would be nice of him.

SummerFrog25 · 02/09/2025 12:59

dogcatkitten · 02/09/2025 12:55

I agree you will be legal, but why bother? If one drink has absolutely no effect just have the tonic. Have a drink when you get home if you fancy one.

Maybe some people actually enjoy the drink, not looking for the 'effect' 🙄

SeaShellsSanctuary1 · 02/09/2025 12:59

Shoxfordian · 02/09/2025 12:18

Nope, I think one drink is fine. Anything else your dp doesn't like you doing?

Save that last sentence for something that is meaningful. This is not a partner being a dick

user2848502016 · 02/09/2025 13:00

I will have one drink with food then drive a couple of hours later. I wouldn’t drink more than that and I’m definitely not over the limit and fit to drive

ginasevern · 02/09/2025 13:01

I don't drink at all when I'm driving and to be honest I find having just one drink pretty depressing at a social occasion. I'd rather not bother. Can't you DP take you and pick you up if it's only once a month?

youalright · 02/09/2025 13:02

I often have 1 drink and drive i never have more then 1

Lakeyloo · 02/09/2025 13:02

Shirtstop · 02/09/2025 12:21

I know you "can", but I don't know why you would. You know one drink makes you feel different, or why would you want it?

I like a drink, but never when I'm driving.

OP actually said they don't feel any different after one drink, I know I don't.
I actually like the taste of a decent gin & tonic or a nice glass of wine.
Most people I know drink their preferred tipple because they like it, not solely because they want to get tipsy.

I wish the 0% gins/wines were even half as good as the 0% beers, I probably wouldn't bother with alcohol at all if they were !

youalright · 02/09/2025 13:05

Lakeyloo · 02/09/2025 13:02

OP actually said they don't feel any different after one drink, I know I don't.
I actually like the taste of a decent gin & tonic or a nice glass of wine.
Most people I know drink their preferred tipple because they like it, not solely because they want to get tipsy.

I wish the 0% gins/wines were even half as good as the 0% beers, I probably wouldn't bother with alcohol at all if they were !

Show quote history

Same and iv never found anything that does taste the same. I don't drink to get drunk I drink because I like the taste.

WaltzingWaters · 02/09/2025 13:05

Having one with food, then leaving it a couple hours before driving, provided you’re not a complete lightweight, is fine.

RoseandGrace · 02/09/2025 13:08

As someone who works for the ambulance service I can tell you some devastating jobs I’ve been to from alcohol related crashes and funnily enough it’s not normally the person who has been drinking that gets seriously injured/killed but I really can’t imagine 1 single gin with food with a large gap before driving would cause any issue it’s very much down to how your body absorbs it never mind the amount of units.

My DH for example is a huge 6ft 4 guy and can have 1 pint of larger and be absolutely fine to drive (not that he does this often) but me I’m a very petite 5ft 3 and cannot drink any alcohol and be fine to drive!

Sladuf1 · 02/09/2025 13:08

TheCurious0range · 02/09/2025 12:34

That's so lovely of your husband to offer to drop you off and pick you up......

First thought that came into my head. OP, I’d say this to your husband and see what the reaction is.

curious79 · 02/09/2025 13:10

SummerInSun · 02/09/2025 12:24

In the real world, as opposed to sanctimonious MN, having a single drink and then waiting for two hours before then driving is legal, safe and entirely normal.

this!!! You are doing nothing wrong and your partner is being tedious about it.

Get some breathalyser sticks for the car if he's that bothered

PurpleThistle7 · 02/09/2025 13:11

I live in Scotland so I never drink before driving - it's a really low limit and I really, really can't lose my license. My husband is always happy to have a drink but never ever if he's driving that day.

When we socialise with cars someone is on the non-alcoholic beer often. I don't drink beer so just stick with water or similar, but my husband is working his way through the options - there are loads of alcohol free options around nowadays.

MonsterasEverywhere · 02/09/2025 13:15

As another poster said, why not have two and take a taxi? The question you have to ask is, if something did happen, could you cope with the outcome? Any amount of alcohol has an effect on reaction times and whilst you can look at averages for alcohol being processed, etc, it is very individual.

The best policy is never to drink and drive (and I say that as a partner of someone who has dealt with the aftermath of road accidents from drink driving).

Sunnyscribe · 02/09/2025 13:15

I generally don't drink at all of I'm driving because for me I think what the point, if I'm drinking if like to have a few.

But yes if you'd like one drink and you aren't driving until 2hrs after this drink I think that is safe. I would stop at 1 though.

SplendidUtterly · 02/09/2025 13:19

It's once a month.
Go out, enjoy yourself and have a couple of drinks then get a taxi home or ask DH to come and pick you up.