why do people drink drive?:( should it be stopped?

I definately think it should be stopped. I never even drink Shandy when I'm driving let alone Lager/Beer! Should be banned for life if caught drunk whilst driving.

Agree, there is no excuse whatsoever, people that drink drive have not got their heads screwed on properly and lack respect for human life - their own and others.

It's just the convenience of having the car. It is a thoughtless act. There should also be something done about the price of soft drinks in pubs. In some places they are more expensive than Alcohol.

People drink drive becouse gettig high enough to fly is too expensive!
Trully tho, there is no other way to get around conviniantly exept for a taxi and many do get home that way. But then when ur drunk u dont exactly think streight enough to get a taxi when thers a car around the corner.

I think it's all down to laziness. I think a lot of people find it easier to jump in the car for short distances simply because it's (in theory) quicker.

People can't plead ignorance to either the effects or penalties of drink driving so it must be laziness, inconsideration, couldn't give a monkeys about anyone else on the road (or pavement). Take your pick of options.What baffles me is that certain people still find it an acceptable risk to run.

"Shall I drive home after 4 pints and run the risk of killing myself and others and ending up with a criminal record and a ban......... or shall I get a cab? Hmmmmmmmmmm"

It's not exactly a choice requiring Mensa membership is it?

Originally posted by Lickszz
It's just the convenience of having the car. It is a thoughtless act. There should also be something done about the price of soft drinks in pubs. In some places they are more expensive than Alcohol.

I agree with the comments about the price of soft drinks.

As to the question, Why do people drink drive?

For many different reasons for different people who do it I imagine.

for my 2 penneth, i think that anyone causing injury or death by driving while under the influence should be charged with attempted or actual murder as appropriate for they know what they are doing and as such it is a deliberate act and so not mansalughter

dave

But it is still technically manslaughter, I think there should be harder sentancing though.

I am sure I can remember several cases where drunk drivers have been released after 6 months after killing someone.

Originally posted by shivi666
why do people drink drive?:( should it be stopped?

Because some people are so irresponsible, selfish and inconsiderate that they don't care if they drink and drive. They don't think what could go wrong and who they could hurt. Of course it should be stopped, but it's easier said than done to wipe it out completely.

I agree that people who drink and drive and get caught get let off too lightly. I think someone who gets caught over the limit should get at least 5 years in prison, and a person driving over the limit who kills someone should at the very least be charged with manslaughter, if not murder.

I also think the pubs should make non-alcohol drinks cheaper. In most pubs, it is cheaper to buy alcohol drinks that non-alcohol drinks.

I will never understand the 'just one, I'll be fine'

I don't get in a car with people who have even had half..

If I even have a sip (not that I would mind) I won't even get in the car, I don't care what my mates think, I'm responsible for my own actions when driving..

As my dad keeps saying.. How much can you have to drink before you drive... ? NONE!

drink driving should be banned, there shouldnt even be a legal limit. if you drink, DONT DRIVE. simple as. end of..
in america if you cause death by being under the influence, you can actually be charged with vehicular manslaughter, in the uk, you get 3yrs and a ban, maybe we should adopt the american system, and give 'em 10 yrs or somet.

I once moved my car off the drive then back on again after 4 drinks, because i'd forgotten to put the bins out and there was no other way of getting them out.

The "Journey" was about 2 car lengths, one forward, one back and it was horrible, I dunno how people can actually drive distances under the influence. I'll never ever do it again.

because they're idiots who think they're invincible

:rant:

Simply because they are selfish idiots. If caught, they should be banned for life from driving and if they cause death by drink driving, they should be charged with manslaughter

Originally posted by t020
Because some people are so irresponsible, selfish and inconsiderate that they don't care if they drink and drive. They don't think what could go wrong and who they could hurt. Of course it should be stopped, but it's easier said than done to wipe it out completely.

mark it in the diary, I agree with T020.

I think that a 5 year sentence for drink driving though is completely out of proportion, it's a longer sentence than someone might be given for manslaughter.
Maybe a 2 year ban and crushing their car would be more commensurate with the crime.

Speaking as someone who lost their Dad to a Drunken Driver when I was 7 I feel that not even one alcholic drink is acceptable when driving - it is not worth the risk and the penalty should be a lot higher.

Its easy for people to think or I'm ok to drive but when you have been personally affected by drink driving your easy going attitude changes.

Received as an Email

I went to a party,
and remembered what you said ,
you told me not to drink,Mum
So I had a Sprite instead.
I felt so proud of myself,
the way I said I would,
That I Did'nt drink and drive
though some friends said I should.
I made a healthy choice'
and your advice to me was right
as the party finally ended and the kids drove out of sight.
I got into my car, sure to get home in one piece.
I never knew what was comming Mum,
something I expected least.

Now I'm lying on the pavement,
and I hear the policeman say
"The kid that caused this wreck was drunk"
Mum, his voice was far away.
And I'm so unprepared.
I wish that you could hold me ,Mum
as I lie here and die.
I wish that I could say I love you Mum
So I love you and good bye.

Makes you think?

cause theyre dicks. yep it should be stopped

My Dad was killed by a drunk driver when I was seven. I wish drink drivers could see the effect of their irresponsibilty when they cause accidents and walk away unharmed themselves.

In our case the driver was never breathalised so he walked away. What made it worse he was a friend of the family and we never heard from him again after he ruined our family.

I would never drink and drive it is not worth it.

There are a few points in this discussion that are totally flawed.
For example, does anyone here that agrees with there being *no* acceptable limit for the amount of alchohol in a person's body understand what they are saying - if you have a pint today, when is there *no* alcohol left in your body? Hours, days, weeks, more??

The current limit is sensible, it's enough to allow for the above without actually allowing the average biuld average person to have a pint then jump straight into a car, as they'd be over this limit.

As to why people drink & drive - may I be completely honest and start by saying that I sometimes do. Now before I have finished donning my flame-proof suit, let me add; I don't drive when I am even remotely under the *influence* of alcohol.
I _may_ have a drink and then drive because IMHO there is no increased risk to anyone and despite it being advertised as the crime of the century it's NOT actually illegal, just generally socially unpopular as poeple incorrectly assume that having even a tiny amount of alcohol in the blood makes you a homicidal mainiac, and it doesn't.

Here in the sleepy town of Malvern "where old people come to die, but then don't" I see appauling driving FAR more dangerous than I've seen on police camera type programs from drunk drivers, just because the drivers are (usually old and) *rubbish*. You'd save a lot more lives by increasing driver training and assessment criteria than trying to ban drink-driving altogether.

Let me be clear - I have NO sympthy for anyone caught driving seriously under the influence - that is plain stupid & you can lock them up IMHO, but don't class someone who has a half at lunctime as a mass murderer.

Originally posted by Patchy
I agree that people who drink and drive and get caught get let off too lightly. I think someone who gets caught over the limit should get at least 5 years in prison

I think that's a little harsh, for two reasons.

Firstly i don't agree with prison as such as a punishment. By putting someone in prison for 5 years, to me is saying "this person is not able/fit/safe to live in our society for the next 5 years." Someone who drives over the legal alcohol limit might be considered able/safe/fit to live in our society, just perhaps not with use of a car, so a driving ban would be more oppropriate than prison IMO.

Secondly, being over the limit i agree increases the risk of an accident by slowing down reaction times etc, but in your example of being caught over the limit, no actual harm has been done to anyone. I know people are affected by drink drivers, even mentioned in this thread about accidents caused by drink drivers, but i'm talking just about being over the limit. Should we really be locking people up for 5 years, not because they've caused an accident but because they've slightly increased the risk of one? I personally don't think so.

I know not scientific but i wouldn't be surprised if my reaction times would be quicker after 2 pints of lager when concentrating fully on the road than if i was tired, had the radio on and was thinking about what was for tea?

-PK-

Originally posted by GimmeSomePK
Firstly i don't agree with prison as such as a punishment. By putting someone in prison for 5 years, to me is saying "this person is not able/fit/safe to live in our society for the next 5 years." Someone who drives over the legal alcohol limit might be considered able/safe/fit to live in our society, just perhaps not with use of a car, so a driving ban would be more oppropriate than prison IMO.


I would say that someone who drives drunk and risks killing people isn't fit to live in our society. Banning someone from driving doesn't take away the danger.... how many people in the Courts column in the Sheffield Star are getting done for driving while banned? Maybe my suggestion of a 5yr sentence was a bit harsh though, but in most cases people only serve less than half of a prison sentence anyway I believe.

Originally posted by Patchy
Banning someone from driving doesn't take away the danger.... how many people in the Courts column in the Sheffield Star are getting done for driving while banned?

I suppose driving while banned after drink driving might fall into my category of fit/able/safe etc... If you can't be trusted not to drive when you've been banned then we'll just have to take your freedom away so you don't have the chance to drive.

-PK-

Originally posted by GimmeSomePK
II know not scientific but i wouldn't be surprised if my reaction times would be quicker after 2 pints of lager when concentrating fully on the road than if i was tired, had the radio on and was thinking about what was for tea?
-PK-


You may or may not be right about that but it has been shown that confidence in our abilities increases even after a small amount of alcohol. So after having one drink you may think your reaction times are fine but your ability to judge will be impaired & you'll be more likely to take risks that you wouldn't normally take - fully concentrating or not.