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03/07/2009, 17:49 Sunday Driver Joined on 07/10/2005 Deux Sevres (79) Posts 4,065 Re: Drunk in charge So, we're back to decisions made by drunks... Having taken the entirely responsible decision not to drink, then proceeded to ignore that decision and drink sufficient alcohol to exceed the legal limit, would a subsequent and equally responsible decision not to drive be at risk of a similar change of mind?     Waddya mean it's only Saturday......    Report

03/07/2009, 17:58 powerdesal Joined on 07/01/2006 Fujeirah, U.A.E Posts 3,094 Re: Drunk in charge A few years ago, in the Welsh town of Newcastle Emlyn, our local dentist, having had too much to drink, unlocked his car then gave the keys to the publican to hold until the morning. He was wakened from his sleep in the back of the car by the local constabulary, searched and they found another key on his person with which they managed to start the car (it was an old car with a probably worn ignition switch), he was subsequently prosecuted, even though the Publican showed the Police the Dentist's car keys. Fair ? I dont think so, but fact certainly. Steve ,Fujeirah Emirate, U.A.E + 50 (in France) ...........................................................................    Report

04/07/2009, 7:17 AnOther Joined on 05/12/2006 W of Cahors (46) Posts 6,746 Re: Drunk in charge  Sunday Driver wrote: So, we're back to decisions made by drunks... Having taken the entirely responsible decision not to drink, then proceeded to ignore that decision and drink sufficient alcohol to exceed the legal limit, would a subsequent and equally responsible decision not to drive be at risk of a similar change of mind? Those who are paragons of virtue and rectitude I'm sure will have never sallied forth with one plan in mind yet, by circumstance or seredipity, ended up following an entirely different one - others take it as it comes Counting down to retirement update: A bright light now beckons    Report

04/07/2009, 7:39 Tony F Dordogne Joined on 10/04/2005 Small village in the Dordogne, near St Cyprien Posts 1,994 Re: Drunk in charge Ernie, I'm no paragon of virtue and making snide comments like you have is just silly.  It's easy if you're a grown up making grown up decisions, you just decline, say no, make it clear you don't want to drink - trust me on this, I do it every day, did it when with friends for lunch and supper all day on Thursday, was out with J for a very nice celebratoty dinner last evening where she drank wine and I didn't, it's very easy and if you give in, you deserve to be nicked whether you have the keys or are driving.  If you're so weak as to not be able to say no, unless somebody is holding you down and pouring the wine into your mouth, at some stage you have decided to change your mind if you then have a drink and it's then down to you, wholly and totally, don't blame the vaguaries of the law or have a pop at SD because you aren't adult enough to make a serious decision and then stick to it. Tony F Dordogne (24)    Report

04/07/2009, 8:38 AnOther Joined on 05/12/2006 W of Cahors (46) Posts 6,746 Re: Drunk in charge I'm sure SD can speak for himself if he feels the need. You don't know me so accusations of being "too weak" or "not adult enough" are vacuous. Just for the record, whilst I may indeed have a couple of small beers or a glass of wine whilst driving I do not get drunk nor do I drive drunk or condone it, my argument was put in a hypothetical sense to highlight what I do believe to be a perverse factor in the law. Counting down to retirement update: A bright light now beckons    Report

04/07/2009, 8:49 Tony F Dordogne Joined on 10/04/2005 Small village in the Dordogne, near St Cyprien Posts 1,994 Re: Drunk in charge It's not perverse at all, it's the law and that's all there is to it.  If you're so drunk that you have to sleep it off in the back of the car, it's likely to be 24 hours before you're actually legally able to drive.  So you wake up, still well over the limit but feeling better and decide to drive away when you're still over the limit. You were suggesting that people can change their mind and 'succumb' in some way.  My point is that there is absolutely no need to change your mind, nor is there any need to have any alcohol with a meal, nice it may be and at home when not driving, not a problem at all, but it's not essential to have it.  All you have to do is to say "no" and there's never any question about your sobriety. Tony F Dordogne (24)    Report

04/07/2009, 9:08 Tony F Dordogne Joined on 10/04/2005 Small village in the Dordogne, near St Cyprien Posts 1,994 Re: Drunk in charge  ErnieY wrote: Just for the record, whilst I may indeed have a couple of small beers or a glass of wine whilst driving I do not get drunk nor do I drive drunk or condone it Sorry Ernie, to state the blindingly obvious you do drink and drive, you just hope that your minimal consumption doesn't put you over the legal limit.  Surely this isn't a debate about being drunk and driving but about drinking and driving? Tony F Dordogne (24)    Report

04/07/2009, 9:28 woolybanana Joined on 27/08/2007 Vendée Posts 3,345 Re: Drunk in charge My original query was about being in charge of a vehicle. Specifically a camping car. One can imagine a situation where one might be pulled up for the night in a  small village site and have perhaps an extra glass, then go for a little wander with the dogs last thing, and be had up because the keys for the vehicle are in one's pocket.    Report

04/07/2009, 10:00 Iceni Joined on 23/08/2004 Lot 46 Posts 3,416 Re: Drunk in charge At the risk of being boring I will return to the original subject. What does the law state about the location of the vehicle in which the drunk is sleeping it off ? If it does not have to be on a public road then we are all at risk while drunk at home with car keys or hot wiring tools in our possession. As for fair or unfair, forget it - you are talking about the law. Extent of drunken-ness can be measured and those higher up the scale can be puinished more severely and sometimes are. John Di How do I get MY free website?    Report

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