Do you drink drive?

[Dan O]

1 minute ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Yes, I agree. There will be some slower response even after only one or a few drinks.

I think the question is how much slower and compared to what.

I ride motorcycle in Bangkok, and I see all the time people playing with their mobile phones and they try to drive at the same time. Many of these people have a horrible reaction time - because they look at their phone and not the street.

If I would drive drunk in Bangkok, concentrating on the street and nothing else. Would my reaction time be worse than all those people who play with their phones? I have my doubt.

And since I visited driving school decades ago, I know and accept the principle of safety distance. This helps a lot in all situations which need reaction time. A second more to react because I don't drive right behind someone but leave some space is always a good idea. How many people in Thailand do that?

Its not just about what your doing its about how you react in totality. Other drivers that are careless, (and there are plenty to go around) can do something unexpected. 

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

My philosophy was always to drive careful in such condition. Not too fast, careful when making turns, things like that. I never had an accident or even any dangerous encounter.

That very good point seems to be lost on a few on this forum.

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, Dan O said:

No I don't,  living in phuket doesn't mean you have a pass to drink and drive.  It doesnt matter where you live, that doesn't give you an implied excuse to do it

Whatever, but it is not a place where other forms of transport are plentiful and cheap as you claimed.

[Dan O]

4 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Whatever, but it is not a place where other forms of transport are plentiful and cheap as you claimed.

In phuket? Are you kidding yourself. Try that excuse out on someone else 

[MalcolmB]

2 minutes ago, Dan O said:

In phuket? Are you kidding yourself. Try that excuse out on someone else 

It sounds like your experience on Phuket must be limited to Patong.

It is a whole province.

[Dan O]

4 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

It sounds like your experience on Phuket must be limited to Patong.

It is a whole province.

I know well about phuket and your just trying to make excuses. If your out clubbing or dining they are generally transportation options and now with grab and the like even more. Try the bs excuses out on a newbie 

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Dan O said:

Its not just about what your doing its about how you react in totality. Other drivers that are careless, (and there are plenty to go around) can do something unexpected. 

Sure, something can happen even to the best drivers under the best conditions.

And many factors make it more likely that something will happen.

We all manage our risk and risk factors.

[Dan O]

20 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Sure, something can happen even to the best drivers under the best conditions.

And many factors make it more likely that something will happen.

We all manage our risk and risk factors.

Having an unexpected situation happen with a delayed reaction occuring after drinking has a much higher chance of a bad outcome. Your kidding yourself if you claim it doesnt. If drunk driving is managing risk factors that's a new one. Your far more honest saying "I'll take a chance". 

[MalcolmB]

25 minutes ago, Dan O said:

Having an unexpected situation happen with a delayed reaction occuring after drinking has a much higher chance of a bad outcome. Your kidding yourself if you claim it doesnt. If drunk driving is managing risk factors that's a new one. Your far more honest saying "I'll take a chance". 

Which is why he is saying it is a necessary step to stay further behind than the drivers/ riders in front of you. 

You have to adapt to the conditions. Road and your own.
 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Dan O said:

Having an unexpected situation happen with a delayed reaction occuring after drinking has a much higher chance of a bad outcome. Your kidding yourself if you claim it doesnt. If drunk driving is managing risk factors that's a new one. Your far more honest saying "I'll take a chance". 

 

Speak for yourself.

It's a question of how much. And "drunk" is a very relative term.

[ujayujay]

OK, you are looking for validation from other drivers who, like you, get behind the wheel drunk

[MalcolmB]

3 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

OK, you are looking for validation from other drivers who, like you, get behind the wheel drunk

The silent majority according to the poll 

 

[Lacessit]

When I was in my twenties, I probably drove when I was over the limit several times. I never drove blotto. In my thirties, I would not put my keys in the ignition until I knew I was under the limit. I used a breathalyzer. Nowadays, no alcohol in my system.

 

The penalties for driving over the limit in Australia are so severe it simply is not worth the risk, but still people get caught. Morons.

 

Here, there seems to be almost no policing. I have never been checked once, in over ten years driving. I used to average one breath alcohol check a month in Oz, with the booze buses.

 

I remember a golfer who used to drive home from the game, regularly three sheets to the wind. His method was to crawl in the gutter all the way at 50 km/hr.

 

He never had an accident, but it baffled me how he never got pulled over on the strength of his driving alone.

[MalcolmB]

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I remember a golfer who used to drive home from the game, regularly three sheets to the wind. His method was to crawl in the gutter all the way at 50 km/hr.

That is the way to do it safely.

 

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

He never had an accident

 

[Dan O]

4 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Which is why he is saying it is a necessary step to stay further behind than the drivers/ riders in front of you. 

You have to adapt to the conditions. Road and your own.
 

 

Thats a ridiculous excuse for drunk driving. You really can't justify it no matter how hard you try. 

[Dan O]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Speak for yourself.

It's a question of how much. And "drunk" is a very relative term.

By your own comments its obvious that the level of your drinking you indicated would score you as drunk on most all breathalyzer tests and thats a clear indication you're drunk even if you cant admit it. There's no realitive question to it,  there are limits in jurisdictions that test. Its called the law

[Lorry]

Shocking to read how, in 2024, "educated" farang mostly look for excuses to justify drunk driving.

Are these the same posters that regularly call Thais bad drivers?

And these posters still have the chutzpah to say, even when drunk they drive more safely than a Thai. 

[MalcolmB]

40 minutes ago, Lorry said:

And these posters still have the chutzpah to say, even when drunk they drive more safely than a Thai. 

I say I drive more safely when I am drunk than I normally drive.

More slowly, concentrate more.

[Gottfrid]

On 10/28/2024 at 9:15 AM, MalcolmB said:

It seems to me that most people I know drink drive to some extent. Bars are full of people and nobody is ordering taxis. 

After having a couple I always follow all the road rules and drive slowly, which is probably a lot safer than getting in a speeding taxi with a driver who ignores the road rules and is on his phone.

Good excuse.

[richard_smith237]

 

The poll itself asks questions that are very specific and clearly loaded to 'give an answer the Op wants to see' to justify his agenda.

 

1) I have never consumed alcohol and driven a motor vehicle in my life.

2)  Yes, I am competent to drive after having a few, but I don’t drive when blind drunk.

3) Yes, I drink drive.

4) I can have one or two drinks and remain within the DUI limit and drive.

 

Option 4 is missing, so most people cannot answer the poll..  

Becasue many people might have one beer, or perhaps two beers and drive, but there is a moral and legal gap between 2 beers (which places someone close to the legal limit) and being impaired. 

 

If someone is having one or two beers then driving that is not 'drunk driving'

People may not be blind drunk after 8 beers, but still be well over the legal driving limit and their driving is impaired - they may not think so, they may think they are safer by 'thinking' they are being careful... 

 

AND below, explains why... 

 

IF drink riding is so dangerous, why do these people think 'drink driving' is as safe as driving while sober ???

 

Does the response below highlight the selfishness of drunk drivers ?

 

IMO - Its ok to ride or drive after one or two beers... But after more than that anyone starts to become impaired...  the difference highlighted with the comment below is...

.... in the scenario of 'drunk riding' the person is 'concerned for themselves' 

.... in the scenario of 'drunk driving' the person has no 'concern for anyone else' 

 

 

On 10/28/2024 at 1:50 PM, MalcolmB said:

I think drink riding is another thing altogether and refuse to do it. 
It isn’t safe in my opinion.

 

 

So... the question I'd ask those who drink drive - would you put a spike on your steering wheel and not wear a seatbelt and then have the same amount of beers and drink drive ???...     (the risk is now also placed on yourselves, not just innocent others around you, similar to drink riding).

 

Everyones limit is individual of course - but once anyone is taking themselves beyond there own known or assumed DUI limit by have 4 or 5 beers then driving... they're putting others at risk - attempts to justify their actions are flawed and highlight selfishness, carelessness and their antisocial and self-centred nature. 

 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, MalcolmB said:

I say I drive more safely when I am drunk than I normally drive.

More slowly, concentrate more.

 

A rather revealing statement - You're admitting to driving like a t!t when sober then ?.....    hmmmm... 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

6 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

6 hours ago, ujayujay said:

OK, you are looking for validation from other drivers who, like you, get behind the wheel drunk

The silent majority according to the poll 

 

Post a poll with better options if you want more realistic and balanced results....  

[MalcolmB]

8 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

The poll itself asks questions that are very specific and clearly loaded to 'give an answer the Op wants to see' to justify his agenda.

 

1) I have never consumed alcohol and driven a motor vehicle in my life.

2)  Yes, I am competent to drive after having a few, but I don’t drive when blind drunk.

3) Yes, I drink drive.

4) I can have one or two drinks and remain within the DUI limit and drive.

 

Option 4 is missing, so most people cannot answer the poll..  

Becasue many people might have one beer, or perhaps two beers and drive, but there is a moral and legal gap between 2 beers (which places someone close to the legal limit) and being impaired. 

 

If someone is having one or two beers then driving that is not 'drunk driving'

People may not be blind drunk after 8 beers, but still be well over the legal driving limit and their driving is impaired - they may not think so, they may think they are safer by 'thinking' they are being careful... 

 

AND below, explains why... 

 

IF drink riding is so dangerous, why do these people think 'drink driving' is as safe as driving while sober ???

 

Does the response below highlight the selfishness of drunk drivers ?

 

IMO - Its ok to ride or drive after one or two beers... But after more than that anyone starts to become impaired...  the difference highlighted with the comment below is...

.... in the scenario of 'drunk riding' the person is 'concerned for themselves' 

.... in the scenario of 'drunk driving' the person has no 'concern for anyone else' 

 

 

 

 

So... the question I'd ask those who drink drive - would you put a spike on your steering wheel and not wear a seatbelt and then have the same amount of beers and drink drive ???...     (the risk is now also placed on yourselves, not just innocent others around you, similar to drink riding).

 

Everyones limit is individual of course - but once anyone is taking themselves beyond there own known or assumed DUI limit by have 4 or 5 beers then driving... they're putting others at risk - attempts to justify their actions are flawed and highlight selfishness, carelessness and their antisocial and self-centred nature. 

 

 

 

 

 

So I will take that whataboutism essay as either a 2 or 3.

Even if you could not bring yourself to admit it.

 

Hard to follow to be honest, I couldn’t really figure what your point was.

 

Riding a motorbike is more difficult because you need balance as well. A basic simple point. Alcohol affects balance.

 

And if I have a minor collision (driving slowly as I do) it will result in minor damage to the car, I will be uninjured. Whereas even minor collisions on a bike can result in death like we saw with the Belgium man yesterday. If he had of been in a car it is highly unlikely he would be dead today. Which is another simple point.

 

 

[MalcolmB]

9 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Post a poll with better options if you want more realistic and balanced results....  

I think the silent majority have stated their point well enough. 
Results are in line with what I expected.

 

Unless you carry a breathalyzer around you would can not know if you are over or not.

You can BS others, but don’t BS yourself.

[MalcolmB]

9 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

A rather revealing statement - You're admitting to driving like a t!t when sober then ?.....    hmmmm... 

 

 

Not like a tit. 
More like Lewis Hamilton.

[Gottfrid]

10 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

The poll itself asks questions that are very specific and clearly loaded to 'give an answer the Op wants to see' to justify his agenda.

 

1) I have never consumed alcohol and driven a motor vehicle in my life.

2)  Yes, I am competent to drive after having a few, but I don’t drive when blind drunk.

3) Yes, I drink drive.

4) I can have one or two drinks and remain within the DUI limit and drive.

 

Option 4 is missing, so most people cannot answer the poll..  

Becasue many people might have one beer, or perhaps two beers and drive, but there is a moral and legal gap between 2 beers (which places someone close to the legal limit) and being impaired. 

 

If someone is having one or two beers then driving that is not 'drunk driving'

People may not be blind drunk after 8 beers, but still be well over the legal driving limit and their driving is impaired - they may not think so, they may think they are safer by 'thinking' they are being careful... 

 

AND below, explains why... 

 

IF drink riding is so dangerous, why do these people think 'drink driving' is as safe as driving while sober ???

 

Does the response below highlight the selfishness of drunk drivers ?

 

IMO - Its ok to ride or drive after one or two beers... But after more than that anyone starts to become impaired...  the difference highlighted with the comment below is...

.... in the scenario of 'drunk riding' the person is 'concerned for themselves' 

.... in the scenario of 'drunk driving' the person has no 'concern for anyone else' 

 

 

 

 

So... the question I'd ask those who drink drive - would you put a spike on your steering wheel and not wear a seatbelt and then have the same amount of beers and drink drive ???...     (the risk is now also placed on yourselves, not just innocent others around you, similar to drink riding).

 

Everyones limit is individual of course - but once anyone is taking themselves beyond there own known or assumed DUI limit by have 4 or 5 beers then driving... they're putting others at risk - attempts to justify their actions are flawed and highlight selfishness, carelessness and their antisocial and self-centred nature. 

 

 

 

 

 

@richard_smith237 This time you made far too long and over complicated. Everything does not have to be perfect. 😉 

[MalcolmB]

1 minute ago, Gottfrid said:

@richard_smith237 This time you made far too long and over complicated. Everything does not have to be perfect. 😉 

It was just a long winded rant to avoid the reality, avoid answering the question and to suit his narrative. 

[Expat68]

Never

[OneMoreFarang]

I think another interesting topic would be: Under which condition would you still drive if you would be sure the police wouldn't fine you.

It seems many here wouldn't drive drunk because they don't want to pay or get arrested.

How many would drink and drive if they knew that won't happen?

[Ralf001]

On 10/29/2024 at 11:46 AM, Dan O said:

You are delusional if that's your standard to test by. I guarantee you would fail most breathalyzer tests and be significantly impaired even if you think your not. Thats the problem with this mentality is you dont have the ability to know the impact to your reflexes after drinking and if you think you do its pretty sad to put yourself and others in danger with a careless attitude like that. 

 

If I manage to unlock the door and get the key in  the ignition.... Iam good to go !