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Parenting

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Original poster

so.... do you think that you should be sober enough to drive somewhere in an emergency or at least one person be?

74 replies

sunnyshine · 01/01/2010 17:16

thats it really. After discussions with friends last night, do you think one person should always be sober enough to drive somewhere in an emergency?

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Doyouthinktheysaurus · 01/01/2010 19:09

No, because that would mean DH and I could never again have a drink together.

I won't drink at all if I have to drive. Having said that though I don't drink very often at the moment and would only have 2 small glasses maximum so I would never be drunk but I wouldn't be able to drive IYSWIM.

thedollshouse · 01/01/2010 19:11

No. I'm not not insured to drive dh's company car and it has been so long since I have had a car of my own that I wouldn't feel safe driving it in an emergency. You only have to have two glasses of wine to be over the limit so that would mean that everyone would be limited to one glass of wine.

scottishmummy · 01/01/2010 19:12

i dont drink much so not an issue.but not sure about living life on constant what if that makes for a lot of potential doom

but tbh an emergency you'd call a ambulance or 999.ambulance response time always faster than any well meaning parent in a car

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Rindercella · 01/01/2010 19:14

"You only have to have two glasses of wine " be very, very careful with this assumption. You could be over the limit long before that.

thedollshouse · 01/01/2010 19:20

Rindercella, personally I wouldn't drive after even one drink so it is never something that has particularly concerned me but I was referring to a small glass at home (125ml) not the goldfish bowls you get in pubs these days.

When ds has been unwell, we have an unspoken rule that we don't drink. I think you have a feeling at the back of your mind that you might be required to drive to the out of hours GP practice.

Rindercella · 01/01/2010 19:23

Cool, just thought it was worth mentioning though

OtterMingOo · 01/01/2010 19:24

I could drive fine after a few drinks, but it's generally not worth it. Who ever gets so drunk they fall over anyway?

EldonAve · 01/01/2010 19:24

No. We would use a taxi or in a proper emergency an ambulance

nooka · 01/01/2010 19:38

I don't think this is a sensible way to think. dh and I often enjoy a glass or two of wine/bottle of beer. I think we've only the once been really drunk (singing in the street type pissed, not puking/passing out drunk) together with the children around (they were fascinated). But given how little you have to drink before driving is unsafe and how unlikely an emergency that requires immediate but not urgent ambulance type response is I really don't think this is something to worry about inordinately. Since we've had children the only night time emergency we've had (we very rarely drink during the day time) is when our cat got run over and had to be taken to the emergency vet. Once in ten years (and non child related at that) seems fairly good odds to me. On the other hand I suspect that my sister and BIL are much more careful as their ds has seizures and emergency hospital visits are fairly routine for them.

CarrotForKing · 01/01/2010 19:50

restrainedRabbit I'm bloody glad none of my family and friends were out on the road when you rushed out with your sick dog having drunk two glasses of wine

OtterMingOo · 01/01/2010 19:58

Oh get real! That is hardly anything. Just because it might be over the legal limit doesn't mean she was weaving all over the road.

AnnieLobeseder · 01/01/2010 20:04

Of course not. But then we're both of the opinion that we shouldn't drive after even one drink, so that would mean we'd never even have a glass of wine, which would be boring indeed!

We never get drunk at home, not even slightly, but we wouldn't risk driving unless it was a very very serious emergency.

Waiting for an emergency to happen seems an odd and stressful way to live. It would make me need a glass of wine!!

mumblechum · 01/01/2010 20:07

No. You'd get a taxi, or in a true emergency call 999

CarrotForKing · 01/01/2010 20:14

Otter - in my job I often deal with drink drivers. So many times I hear 'I didn't realise I was over the limit, I only had a couple of glasses - and they aren't much over the limit BUT their driving was impaired to the point that the police or members of the public could see that there was something wrong and stopped them.
It's nobs who think just because they aren't reeling means they are ok to drive. If you drink (ANYTHING) and drive your ability is impaired. If you don't think that's true then you are a moron.

OtterMingOo · 01/01/2010 20:17

Well it makes me concentrate more, if anything.

scottishmummy · 01/01/2010 20:20

not sure anyone should be in an anticipatory state of what if. shit happens you deal with it

unless of course there is an underlying health issue for which one has to be vigilant and responsive

BelleDameSansMerci · 01/01/2010 20:26

Really interested to know if most people actually drink most evenings? I hardly ever do but that's because I'm not much of a drinker any more. Not being judge-y or anything, just interested.

BelleDameSansMerci · 01/01/2010 20:50

Well, that killed the thread! Sorry...

traceybath · 01/01/2010 20:51

No we don't belle.

Have drunk most evenings over xmas but will be back to a couple of times a week.

DH is normally working in the study and I don't tend to drink much by myself.

ShinyAndNew · 01/01/2010 20:56

We don't drive and we don't own a car, so there is very little point in one of us staying sober just incase we need to drive somewhere.

In minor emergencies i.e, a finger that might need stitches, I either phone family or a taxi. But surely for major emergencies you would dial 999? Not drive?

I liver very close to family, so there is (nearly) always soemone sober close enough, if we do need to get anywhere.

Restrainedrabbit · 01/01/2010 21:00

carrot can I clarify that I NEVER drink and drive and was in tears trying to decide what to do, I made the call after two small glasses the last of which I'd had over 1.5hrs previously. I was very uncomfortable doing this as I lost a cousin at 19 to a motorbike rider who was over the limit It made me think though and DH and I discussed in depth contingency plans for the future should it happen again (which it did a few weeks later when we had to have the dog put to sleep).

Like everyone else I don't believe in not drinking 'just in case' but emergencies can be predicted so giving some thought to what you might do should the need arise is not being over cautious IMHO.

BrokenArm · 01/01/2010 21:01

at Yerma's story. I don't understand ppl who get Legless, anyway.

Original poster

sunnyshine · 01/01/2010 21:03

it is the thought that people are saying someone sober will help us to get wherever or will come through for us. i just would feel that it is my responsibility to do something over having to ask someone for help. i am a super relaxed person not at all waiting for an accident/disaster to happen but i seem to be in the minority!

OP posts:

Missus84 · 01/01/2010 21:09

sunnysunshine - we don't drive and don't have any friends or family with a car nearby, so have to rely on taxis or ambulances anyway.

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