Thread: Zero alchohol?

Originally Posted by bruiser69

....... (yes- would force Qld to finally have compulsory vehicle inspections, which in itself would save many lives).......

If annual inspections save many lives, why does it not show up when you compare statistics between comparable states that do and do not have them, such as NSW and Victoria? If you peruse accident reports, almost none of them mention vehicle defects, and where defects are mentioned as a contributing factor, it is usually bald tyres - which can easily develop between inspections, and are, from my observation, quite common in NSW which does have annual inspections.

I still cannot see how you could install an effective alcohol lock on a Series Landrover, let alone on vehicles with no electrical supply to the ignition (magneto ignition) which can be crank started. This without even looking at the question of six volt electrics and positive or negative earths.

I'm afraid I have little faith in technical solutions to social problems.

John

Originally Posted by seano87

Ahh interesting thread. I personally don't drive after drinking, even if I know I'd be under the legal limit, however, I make no judgment on those who do - they are perfectly within the law to do so of they are under the relevant BAC, and laws are generally based on community standards.

I will add something a little extra regarding drinking whilst driving - in NSW it is illegal to be consuming an alcoholic drink whilst driving, whether you are under the prescribed BAC or not. I know of someone personally who has been charged over it about 6 months ago, and it came up as a case example in my HSC legal studies exam. I believe this is also true for Vic, but no idea for the rest of the states.

In Queensland this is covered under "Driving with undue care and attention" it can be applied to eating, drinking or scratching your nose. Like many pieces of legislation, it is open to abuse and (mis)interpretation by individual police officers.

Originally Posted by seano87

*SNIP*
I will add something a little extra regarding drinking whilst driving - in NSW it is illegal to be consuming an alcoholic drink whilst driving, whether you are under the prescribed BAC or not. I know of someone personally who has been charged over it about 6 months ago, and it came up as a case example in my HSC legal studies exam. I believe this is also true for Vic, but no idea for the rest of the states.

More than that, in NSW it is illegal to be in control of a car with an open container of alcohol inside, passengers aren't allowed to drink either. Same as the driver is responsible for seatbelts being worn by passengers.
-Mark

If we want people to not drive after they have had a couple of drinks then the govt. needs to provide some form of alternative and affordable public transportation.

People will drink, to celebrate an occasion, wind down after a hard week at work and a myriad of other reasons. I personally do not have a problem with a person having one or two beers and then driving home.

But if you could get a cab or a bus that was cheap and relaibale and safe most people would use this alternative. At present in Sydney if you were in the city and wanted to get a cab to my place you are looking at over $50. If it was $20 -$30 you would leave the car at home and Ron's your harmonica player.

The govt are great at putting up barriers but not too good at looking at alternative solutions to problems. More laws, more courts, more bloody lawyers, more corruption, more law abiding people getting hard earned going into consolidated revenue

Originally Posted by sschmez

So what's your story ohleaky1
you have a much stronger stance on this than I do.
based on fear or emotion or experience.
I'm really not the bad person you're trying to make me ... just because our views differ.

My story is i believe o tolerance to drink driving is a good thing.

Stronger stance- well that is obvious!

Based on fear- yes, fear of my family or anyone else's being killed by a drink driver.

Emotion-Yes, family members who are drivers for the Qld ambulance and have seen the trauma they go through going to accidents (which i know are,nt all alcohol related, but a hell of a lot are).

Experience- yes, i have personally witnessed a accident in which a mother and her young daughter were killed ! with the driver of the other vehicle being unhurt and saying to other witnesses and myself and then later to police "i only had a couple of drinks , thought i,d be fine". the fact is that its to late to be sorry after someone,s been killed.

Im not saying your a bad person or trying to make you out to be one - you have done a pretty good job of that yourself i think

However with all things said i think we agree on one thing... our views on this differ !

Originally Posted by ohleaky1

...since when has beer kept any one awake? allways thought it was a depressant

Not taking sides here but asked a specific question and risk going off topic:

I learnt at Uni that alcohol is a stimuli-depressant(?). Not sure of the exact term I googled and found this at Re: Does alcohol act as both a depressant and a stimulant?

"... in general, alcohol functions at the neuronal level to block or inhibit receptors. If the receptors being inhibited are excitatory (for example, glutamate receptors), then alcohol's effect is inhibitory (blocking a positive thing); if, however, those receptors are inhibitory (for example, GABA receptors), then the negation is actually stimulatory (block a negative thing results in a positive, just like a normal double negative."

The poster is a Post-doc/Fellow, Neurobiology, Medical College of Ohio so I believe 'em.

So it can be both although anecdotal evidence (and what we were taught) suggests that the depressant part kicks in first and the stimulant later. So it puts you to sleep but you get a lousy sleep.

I also found that many, many non scientific websites state that alcohol is not a stimulant. Is there stuff on the internet that is wrong!?

Originally Posted by seano87

I will add something a little extra regarding drinking whilst driving - in NSW it is illegal to be consuming an alcoholic drink whilst driving, whether you are under the prescribed BAC or not. I know of someone personally who has been charged over it about 6 months ago, and it came up as a case example in my HSC legal studies exam. I believe this is also true for Vic, but no idea for the rest of the states.

This is not the case in Vic.
I recently drove into a random breath test whilst I was having a stubbie.
The open stubbie was in my drink tray. The conversation went like this.

PC, "Have you had anything to drink today".
Me, "Yes"
PC, "How much".
Me, "A couple of mouthfuls".
PC, "How long ago".
Me, "A few minuets ago".
PC, "Have you just left the pub" (there is a pub near by)
Me, "No, I am still drinking it" and pointed to the open stubbie in my drink tray.
He then breath tested me and as I was under .05 he told me that I was ok and off I went.

Now before you all jump down my throat I do not support driving over .05. I have been driving for 36 years and have never been done for drink driving
One of my weekend pleasures is a counter meal where I will have a meal and consume two pots which I know I am well under .05 and it does not affect my driving one iota.

I live about 25 km from the pub so a return taxi costs about $50 so this is not an option. Make BAC .000 and you take away one of my few pleasures in life (apart from driving landies) which is currently legal and is harming no one.

Dave.

Originally Posted by hiline

my biggest grip with him is that he's not covered by any insurance if he has a accient sober or drunk,cause his licence has been cancelled

now that really peeves me off..............

In Victoria TAC will cover a third party for injuries regardless of the status of the driver. He can be unlicensed and drunk and TAC still pays.

Dave.