Rob

I think you missed the point.

 

I guess you've just got to ask yourself one question....

Imagine you were in a pub and you saw someone knocking back the booze then stagger out the door, car keys in hand, get in the car and drive off but decided not to report him/her to the police because you felt uneasy (for whatever reason) about doing it then found out the next day that they'd had an accident on the way home that had resulted in the death of someone, how would you feel?

Sal

 

Whilst I agree - uncomfortably (never liked grassing) - with this initiative, you are still much more likely to be killed by a sober driver than a drink driver.

The statistics they quote for "drink related" deaths is slighlty flawed anyway. A sober driver mows down a drunk pedestrian and it's called a drink related death. Even so, 25% of all deaths on the road involve drink. So that means over 75% of deaths are caused by sober drivers.

I find it amazing how quickly public attitudes can change though. My father can remember the days when if someone at a party was too drunk to walk home, they would carry them to their car!!! Thank god those days are over.

 

I don't think any of us have an issue with the d/d code.

What I'd like to see is this "reward scheme" extended to cover all wrongdoers.

And the same sort of money/effort thrown at other anti social behaviour.

I also object to the sanctimonious attitude of some Chief Constables/police about this. How many (often senior) old bill have you seen caught for exactly this offence?

In Liverpool a bloke with a baseball bat attacked the Chief Constable's oppo, (a PC standing near him) although the attack was meant for him, during the 2 minutes silence at a Remembrance Day service.

Does that tell you anything about the state of law and order?

People's houses are invaded for the keys to cars WHILE THEY ARE THERE WITH FAMILY AND KIDS!!!!

Is anyone hell bent on stopping that?

This is simply what they call "single issue" politics.

 

Couldn't they just throw £ 150 to all the people that *do* drink but don't drive ?

Nothing but advantages: instead of people having to call, police having to try to catch the drinker etc, potential risks ... you can have a free beer evening and catch a taxi home

On a more serious note ... it just doesn't ring practical to me. Normally, it's your friends/company that really know if you are drunk and planning to drive, and they should be the people to prevent you from driving anyway (assuming you is daft enough to get drunk and wanting to drive). I just can't see it work: in a crowded pub how do you know who is drunk and who is leaving for their car ? Seems like a full time job.

And instead of going to the phone if you *do* spot one, it's probably more effective of going over and bitch-slap the sod. May get you into trouble with the police though

 

Sorry Barry! - missed the opening "fair point" line of your post. Post in haste and all that.

I agree with your points, but at least this bit of single issue politics may (hopefully) do some good unlike a lot of the hair brained schemes of the current administration!

 

If I drink and I have my car - prime example the Epsom meet - I gave my car keys at the start of the night to the person I
had asked if it was alright if he didn't drink and drive my car back.

What is the problem with doing that?

Its not hard!!!!

Easy to do..........

If I ever meet the guy who murdered my friend I will not be responsible for my actions [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

 

12 years ago, three of my mates got bladdered on Christmas Eve, took Dad's car and went for a drive.

Two of them died when it hit a tree and burst into flames.

If someone had reported them, they'd still be here and I'm sure their families would have a better time on Christmas day each year.

 

I fully agree with the concept, but I really don't think that a reward should be offered...

 

Reward is not needed I agree

 

I actually agree with this but one thing concerns me.

I very very rarely drink. Twice this year in fact (last saturday and sunday ). But Every other night I go clubbing people come up to me and say you cant give my mate a lift home, you have been drinking.

This has happened probably 25 times this year. Much as I dont object to a mistaken stopping by the police to a random breath test, had it happened each of the 25 times or so, I think I would probably go insane.

I can see this potentially going bad.

I think they should up the sentencing and encourage peopoe to call but perhaps without the reward.

 

Hi All,

Totally agree with the DD campaign.

But, knowing plod as we do, once they've found out that you were NOT drink driving, they'll climb all over the car until they DO find something to nick you for

And that's where all of the animosity stems from. The police have no concept of common sense.

Gazza

 

The reason this is being offered now is that the amount of people willing to risk it increases around this time of year.

It does happen all year round but with the seasonal spirit more people think OK then just the one......

People should inform the police without the need for the "prize" but I would hope that people thinking of having a drink (or extra drink) may think 'what if someone informs' if that gives them a little extra to think about before having the drink then good.

There does seem to be a group of people (maybe its generations but I dont know enough to say) who think that just one night wont matter.

 

Just out of interest.

More people are caught drink driving in summer than at Christmas!!

Gazza

 

I've seen this before Ga33a, but I think the main difference is in summer people have a cold beer with lunch and are slightly over the limit whereas at Christmas people get completely sh1tfaced and forget about the law entirely

 

Fast bloke,

True enough. Bad news any time of year.

The last couple of Christmas's I've left the car in the garage over the festive period. No worries that way. I can get as hammered as I like

Cheers

Gazza

 

Military regime. Where is democracy?

 

This democracy - If the majority of people disagree then they won't call in and the scheme will fail. If the majority agree, they will phone in and the scheme will be a success

 

I have reported numerous "Drunken" drivers I have inadvertantely followed!!!

But not only drunk ones but "OLD" giffers that are so infirm that they can't even hold the steering wheel..

ie: a couple of weeks ago I was driving down towards Cirencester, See a car a couple in front weaving all over the road. Next minute the car is on the opposite lane and the car travelling toward it had to take avoiding action by mounting the verge where he almost lost control and ended up missing hitting me by a foot!!!

Call the cops, with whom I held a moving commentry with.. Followed the old boy till he stopped,and guided the cops to the location.. (even when the phone operator asked me if I could hear any sirens cos the two traffic cars were lost!!!)
The guy took 10 mins to struggle out of the car and two walking stick later.. He plainly shouldn't have been on the road!!!!

There is NO EXCUSE... NO INFIRM GIFFERS OR DRUNKEN/DRUGGED DRIVERS on the road..

Rant Over!

 

...would it not help to reduce the cost of a pint of coke etc to somewhere less than 2 quid?? Costs roughly the same as a pint of booze which is w4nk in my opinion...
Looks like I'm gonna make a fortune 'cos of the pissed up farmer tossers in my neck of the woods - might even be tempted to stakeout a boozer or two this festive season...

 

Barryk

Gotta agree with you there!!!

Why simply pick on "motoring" offences, when there are many other crimes/problems to be solved??? Oh, sorry, i forgot - the motorist is an easy target!

According to news tonight, one in SEVEN fatilities is due to drivers over the limit - WELL WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER SIX?????

Surely you are better off preventing a driver from driving when p*ssd, rather that shopping (grassing) him (up)? With the crap (usual) response from the police, you will get a better result!!

Oh, and tonights news also said that TVP were "inundated" with calls about drink drivers. What they didn't make clear is how many were questions about the scheme itself, rather than actual reports!!

Sounds like a major propaganda exercise!!!

mb

 

Not that I condone DD but this who focus continues every year with less and less success. Sure they'll say numbers are up blah blah blah but when you look at the stats year on year more and more people are getting tested so therefore more people test positive. Its simply policing by route of least resistance(an easy collar), this whole area and seatbelt policy are probably the only major Policing successes of the last 20-25 years. I ask you whether they are top priority in the UK over the last 20-25 years.
Unfortunately I think they are milking it. Its also interesting how may of the regulars here get all shirty about DD but its a nod and a wink for speeding, 20 years ago they we're talking about how many pints they could down and drive. Now its all about how fast you have you been on the Autobahn(Cough Cough).
The way to stop this behavior is education not enforcement, by the comments on this board and from my experience its pretty much hammered home for the vast majority, time to start looking at other big hitters, like crap drivers who cause the other 6 accidents. I just think its a cop out by the police and the Government and no I'll not be taken in by the propaganda.

Regards
Cammy

 

Definately agree with shopping drink drivers but also wouldn't hesitate on reporting some drunken **** who thinks that staggering all over the pavement/road is acceptable. Don't forget that drunken pedestrians can be as dangerous to themselves/others as any driver. Wonder how many personal arguments will result in a sly call to the cops just for revenge, beware the jealous barstewards who don't like that nice shiny Scoob on your drive!!!

 

Sorry guys I'm with Michelle on this one, being the victim of a drunk driver myself and nearly dying is not a very pleasent thing to happen to anybody, but IMHO........If you drink and drive and get caught tough ****........You only have yourself to blame and don't give me this **** about i'd only had a couple officer the story is don't drink and drive and mess people's lives up my accident was 5 years ago and I still cannot work full time cos my injuries were so bad.
Cheers
Colin

 

Colin,

We all agree.

What I want to see is all other crimes that cause misery and distress/injury being prosecuted with the same zeal.

Adding more "ban the drunks" messages, nobody is disagreeing with that. I, and everyone else so far, is "with Michelle on this one". So you have nothing to be "sorry" about.

Frankly, if I or any of my family was run over by a stone cold sober joyrider I'd be every bit as angry as you are. What about testing for drivers who are zonked on drugs? People who's eyesight is so bad they can't see the end of the bonnet. There's loads of them about. We MOT the cars, what about the drivers?

I'll say it again, centring on a single issue like this lets the authorities get away with lassitude on others.

If there are to be major campaigns against crime, don't just choose one and chuck money at it. And certainly don't treat them as seasonal!!

 

Ok, have to confess to not reading the whole thread, so don't know if this has been said or not.

anyway, drinking and driving is a no no, however, one thing to be wary of is that you go out and have it large, then you get up the next morning, are you safe to drive? probably not. Think the stats say that if you're drunk then you should really leave at least 12 hours if not more, before you are over the effects. So, be wary if you have a few and then need to get somewhere next morning, you could still be drunk.

not trying to be a goody goody or anything, just mentioning it.

 

I will say at the start that I do not condone drink driving.

Now to the bit that'll get me flamed.

Whilst a lot of people who've posted on this topic so far have proclaimed that they do not drink at all when driving, you are the minority.

The trouble here is the 'grey area'. I fully understand that some people (with or without bad experiences in the pat related to DD, friends involved/killed, near death experiences due to other DD'ers) wont go near a beer if they've got car keys in their packets, but I personally, and I am sure I'm not alone here, enjoy a glass of wine with a meal at a restaraunt, even when I'm driving home.

Now please dont get me wrong, I DO NOT CONDONE DRINK DRIVING (the lgal definition of it that is), but I do it (obviously never above the limit), and judging by the number of people who haven't proclaimed that they do not drink at all when intending to drive so do most of us, that is a fact of life.

The problem is the 'grey area'. As the law stands you break the law when you alcohol/blood level reaches 35mg (may be wrong but thats what it was when I got breathalysed, I hasten to add that I've only once been breathalysed and was nowhere near the limit then).

The drink driving law will never work until there is zero tolerance, any amount of alcohol in your blood whilst driving and youre nicked, no more no less. Can you name another law which invites you to participate in an action and then nicks you once you've done it for too long ?

Now then, hands up those of us who do drink when intending to drive who can accurately predict the alcohol level in their blood ,(which is constantly changing).

That is my view on DD.

Quick word about the grassing up of other drivers. I'd like to think that most people would report obviously pi$$ed people who they see getting into a drivers seat, maybe most would maybe they wouldn't.

How many people have ever reported other drivers for using mobile phones, shaving, putting lipstick on etc ? You could argue that a woman putting her lipstick on and looking in her rear view mirror is, for the duration of her actions more dangerous than somebody who's had 3 pints and is so desperately scared of being pulled that they are concentrating 100% on the road (only playing devils advocate here, dont get too mad at me).

Wheres the incentive to be a responsible member of the public re. other crimes ? Why just drink drivers ? Why give out cash for grassing people up ?

This will only lead to people getting grassed on, people getting beaten up for doing the grassing and people getting locked up for beating 10 bells out of the grass. Ban it altogether, thats the only fair way.

I DO NOT CONDONE DRINK DRIVING, please remember that if you're going to reply.

 

If you drink the night before use one of those testing thingies which I do..........may not be entirely accurate but if you get a green light great go drive if not wait till you do........if you then go out and drive knowing that you are over then you are a w@nker..........

Why is it always that the drink drivers never come out bad why is it the innocent victim dies or is hurt?

I watched a very moving play about drink driving when I was 18 and believe me it hit home additional to the fresh memories of my close friend's murder by a drink driver.............

I guess none of you who drink drive realise the dangers you are putting other people in, if you crash on your own and hurt yourself then good you deserve it, if you involve someone else - unforgiveable...........if you lost a loved one due to some idiot who couldn't refrain from drinking and driving then you wouldn' want to do it............

 

I fully agree Michelle and I wholeheartedly sympathise with you regarding your loss....................but :

Re-read my post, any number of realistic, sane, responsible people warning others about the dangers of drink driving will not alter the fact that the law lets you drink drive and only comes down hard once you reach a line that is drawn somewhere where we cant see it.

The only way to stop drink driving is to ban it completely and have some breathalyser related ignition system on cars (pie in the sky I know) and even then people would still try to fool it. Take the mobile phone example, I know it's against the law and dangerous but I still do it, I expect that 90% of people reading this post also do it. Am I any less dangerous/irresponsible/deserve grassing up ?