Drink driving? No comprehensive cover!

[glenn2926]

You'll also find if a passer by rings the emergency services they will be there at warp speed.

Having been that emergency service type. Control will ask the caller if anyone is injured/trapped etc then make an informed decision whether to attend or not. The emergency services have all got more pressing things to deal with than RTCs with no injuries or extraction required.

 

[g3cwi]

but there is no way to be sure unless stopped by the rozzers.

If concerned I feel sure you could flag down a police car to get a second opinion.

 

[pappajohn]

Having been that emergency service type. Control will ask the caller if anyone is injured/trapped etc then make an informed decision whether to attend or not. The emergency services have all got more pressing things to deal with than RTCs with no injuries or extraction required.

And they can see the trapped drivers legs stuck under the collapsed dash can they as they drive past.

 

[scotzsue]

I don't worry about that clause. if we are moving on the next day i don't drink the night before, levels in Scotland and abroad are lower than England, just not worth the risk. John is inclover if he wants a good drink he knows he can have one without worrying, rarely does though.
Stepson has been provided with an electronic breathalyser which he has to use prior to setting off to drive, if he has worked a 12 hour shift he is not allowed to drive till the next day.
Safety first I say, have looked after children with some devastating injuries due to the driver being over the limit.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I thought it was common knowledge that insurance was invalidated if you are found to be over the prescribed limit and you had been in a bump. I doubt whether they would assist in third party claims also.
There is certainly enough info on the many police programs on TV now. You can be stopped and breathalysed for any reason. Defective lights, driving slowly, tip off from someone you have upset. Anything, doesn't have to be an sccident

One thing I didn't realise was the much lower alcohol permitted levels in Scotland.
22micrograms per 100 ml of breath against rest of UK at 35, which in Scotland is less than three quarters of a pint.

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[Nasher]

I'll be alright:

2 drinks and I'm anybody's

3 drinks and I'm nobody's

 

[Odd-no-more]

Has anyone here been breathalysed? In 50 yesrs of driving I have only been tested once, I was the designated driver, but the cop stuck his head in the car and said I can smell drink, I was not surprised, the other 3 people in the car had had a lot of drink but when I was testing it was so green even the cop was embarrassed. Any other stories?

 

[Odd-no-more]

I thought it was common knowledge that insurance was invalidated if you are found to be over the prescribed limit and you had been in a bump. I doubt whether they would assist in third party claims also.
There is certainly enough info on the many police programs on TV now. You can be stopped and breathalysed for any reason. Defective lights, driving slowly, tip off from someone you have upset. Anything, doesn't have to be an sccident

One thing I didn't realise was the much lower alcohol permitted levels in Scotland.
22micrograms per 100 ml of breath against rest of UK at 35, which in Scotland is less than three quarters of a pint.

And no increase in road safety

 

[RandallC]

Ok have only skimmed the replies to the OP and apologies if repeating any comment.

The Law says if your are under the influence of XYZ at OPQ levels YOU are unfit to drive.

Therefore anyone not complying or planning to comply needs specialist insurance, "at goodness only knows what cost" to cover from being mildly tipsy to absolutely legless through alcohol, drugs or any other substance of choice.

In this PC world can you imagine for a minute any insurance company standing up and saying " yep we fully insured that drunk driver to do in any condition, whatever!!!!

Should have added at the time, unsafe vehicles are a no no why not unsafe drivers???

Some may say that's an extreme view but we have seen many many times if it can be done it will be, until it becomes a norm.

Sugar!!! slipping in to a bit of a rant here no offense meant to any and all.

Be safe, Happy Friday

 

[Pete5996]

I don't know whether things have changed but, back in the 90s when I regularly had the pleasure of inviting customers to breath into the Intoximeter machine, it would come as a surprise to those convicted that it was the gift that kept on giving - insurance premiums, if you could find an insurer, would almost certainly be loaded for ten years after the conviction......

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[Emmit]

Has anyone here been breathalysed? In 50 yesrs of driving I have only been tested once, I was the designated driver, but the cop stuck his head in the car and said I can smell drink, I was not surprised, the other 3 people in the car had had a lot of drink but when I was testing it was so green even the cop was embarrassed. Any other stories?

In my career as a Custody Sgt, every early shift (7 days in 28) for 10ish yrs.
In my non "Job" life, once.
A beautiful sunny Sunday lunchtime nr. Termes Armagnac in SW France. I was given the tube of the breath test machine as "le souvenir" and waved on with a smile.

 

[Emmit]

I don't know whether things have changed but, back in the 90s when I regularly had the pleasure of inviting customers to breath into the Intoximeter machine, it would come as a surprise to those convicted that it was the gift that kept on giving - insurance premiums, if you could find an insurer, would almost certainly be loaded for ten years after the conviction......

Me too! Me too!

 

[Emmit]

I'm going to give two examples. of real events.
22st. Male Labourer built like a brick you know what comes in at midnight and blows 100. How long in custody?

Next, Female 6st wet through, Came in at 8pm, blew 120.
How long in custody.

In both cases the two samples provided (each were steady, neither rising or falling)

 

[PeteH]

Has anyone here been breathalysed? In 50 yesrs of driving I have only been tested once, I was the designated driver, but the cop stuck his head in the car and said I can smell drink, I was not surprised, the other 3 people in the car had had a lot of drink but when I was testing it was so green even the cop was embarrassed. Any other stories?

My Eldest. "Designated Driver", asked by Mr plod, Have you been drinking, reply yes?. Blow into bag sir. Completely Green. Thought you have been drinking?, reply Yes, but you didnt ask what?. He`d been on cola all night. But his car stank to high heaven with 3 more "Rugby Players" in various states of intoxication.

 

[John Barrett]

Puddleduck.
In answer to your post the Insurance Co. have all the bases loaded and covered.
ie. The removal of comprehensive cover for being over the prescribed limit is obviously covered as well as failing or refusing to supply a sample. (ALL samples be it breath at the scene or Station or a subsequent demand for a sample of breath blood or urine.) That would prevent a client saying"there is no evidence that I was over the limit"

2x2camper.

The purpose of the OP was to inform. That was it. Pure and simple. There is no "problem"

Amazing how a post that was meant merely to inform triggers all this moralising. Won't it be great tomorrow when we can all leave the keyboard battlefield and get out more!
John

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[gus-lopez]

I didn't know that, would it apply if although over the limit, the accident was not your fault?

You'd be claiming off the other insurers

Has anyone here been breathalysed? In 50 yesrs of driving

No never. even though on 2 occasions in the Uk my vehicle was hit by ddriver & on both occasions I was still battering them when the police arrived The 3rd occasions we were hit, gave chase ran them off the raod & were in the process of extracting them from the car when police arrived. Other driver was dead on limit & was given the option of pay for our damage or be done for dd.

 

[PeteH]

I wince now, thinking of the state`s we used to get into, and then ride Motorcycles!. We used to work on the principle, If you can get it over end and kick start it. your OK!. Talk about the stupidity of youth!. One favourite, Ride to Masham, drink as much Old Pecular as we could hold. Crash out in pub garden under a tarp thrown over the bike. Hair of the dog Sunday, and ride back!. We where really not in this world then, but it was regarded as "normal"!. Looking back it was a miracle so few of us got killed!. Oh! and no Crash Helmets Either!.

 

[rangi]

In the early 70s, (before I met Maureen) as a single man, I was just a 5 star gold plated F***wit, I got plucked two days running for DIC.
Didn't bother me, I was on a good wage, $NZ25.000 per annum, plus $NZ 80 tax free allowances a week Good money good times party party party.
When you consider, the fellas I used to work with as Construction Riggers worked 48 hours and took home $NZ 88 a week, I was on a good wage.
For both offences altogether , I was fined $NZ1500, 15 Months loss of licence, that hurt the pocket for a couple of weeks , made no difference to me driving vehicles off or on or around the RO-RO Wharf I was working on .

It was only when I met Maureen that I realised (well actually she told me, did'nt mince her words either!!) how big an ar*****e I'd been, on the rantan at night till late, driving in the morning, if breathalized the next morning, still classed as drunk!

 

[John Barrett]

In the early 70s, (before I met Maureen) as a single man, I was just a 5 star gold plated F***wit, I got plucked two days running for DIC.
Didn't bother me, I was on a good wage, $NZ25.000 per annum, plus $NZ 80 tax free allowances a week Good money good times party party party.
When you consider, the fellas I used to work with as Construction Riggers worked 48 hours and took home $NZ 88 a week, I was on a good wage.
For both offences altogether , I was fined $NZ1500, 15 Months loss of licence, that hurt the pocket for a couple of weeks , made no difference to me driving vehicles off or on or around the RO-RO Wharf I was working on .

It was only when I met Maureen that I realised (well actually she told me, did'nt mince her words either!!) how big an ar*****e I'd been, on the rantan at night till late, driving in the morning, if breathalized the next morning, still classed as drunk!

I came away from New Zealand in 2003 with just two conclusions after three weeks touring in a rented motorhome .
1. NZ as whole is a lovely place to visit. The North Island is very civilised.
2. The South Island is inhabited by 500,000 alkies clinging to a lonely rock!
John

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

There will be a few in the pub at 6am tomorrow morning, ready to make a day of it. Let's hope they don't drive home afterwards on busier roads.

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[Spriddler]

I've lived on my own for ten years and whether at home or out it doesn't occur spontaneously to me to have an alcoholic drink. My (brief) second wife had an unmanageable and socially embarrassing major drink problem (it took me 6 months to realise) so I was always the driver and never drank alcohol when out or at home.
However, my point is that this thread made me realise that I have never read the T's and C's or small print for anything except perhaps a house purchase, but even then I've relied on my solicitor to look after my interests.
So far so good.

 

[thebriars]

Has anyone here been breathalysed? In 50 yesrs of driving I have only been tested once, I was the designated driver, but the cop stuck his head in the car and said I can smell drink, I was not surprised, the other 3 people in the car had had a lot of drink but when I was testing it was so green even the cop was embarrassed. Any other stories?

Yes twice, but thankfully long after I stopped drinking at all if I was driving. Had a really fast flash car with a spoiler on the back (a freebie, but a long story). Wasn't actually doing anything wrong either time. Was fun though!

 

[thebriars]

BUT if I am reading what you wrote correctly it is the failing to provide a specimen that negate the insurance rather than the act ?

Failure to provide a specimen is treated as being over the limit in law. Common sense really, otherwise everyone would refuse. Thus insurance companies will treat it the same.

 

[ctc]

Why don't the same sanctions apply to drivers on drugs? Walk past a chemist and people are coming out with armfulls of drugs and nobody seems to know the effects on driving ability.

 

[Emmit]

I'm going to give two examples. of real events.
22st. Male Labourer built like a brick you know what comes in at midnight and blows 100. How long in custody?

Next, Female 6st wet through, Came in at 8pm, blew 120.
How long in custody.

In both cases the two samples provided (each were steady, neither rising or falling)

The answers.

Bloke was in for over 15hrs.
I think he was released after providing a negative test using the stations evidential machine (and after breakfast and lunch) at something before 4pm.

The woman? She provided a negative test before the clubs threw out 6hrs later.

The bloke was burning the alcohol at a rate under 5 an hour.

The woman was way over double that.
All down to their respective metabolic rate.

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[thebriars]

Why don't the same sanctions apply to drivers on drugs? Walk past a chemist and people are coming out with armfulls of drugs and nobody seems to know the effects on driving ability.

I think you will find exactly the same sanctions apply be they legal or illegal drugs.

 

[glenn2926]

And they can see the trapped drivers legs stuck under the collapsed dash can they as they drive past.

Yeah we got those types ringing them in. They thought they knew what they were on about as well. Not usually whilst they were driving though. Our control staff ask the correct questions. Actually listen, I ain’t debating this with you. If you were job you wouldn’t be asking these questions. If you weren’t job you’ll never understand. I’m out.

 

[sedge]

I don't want to get into another drink driving thread, but do you have any evidence that people who are under the limit are causing accidents due to being drunk?

Suppose I was on the main road driving under the speed limit and a driver pulls out of a drive in front of me, would that still be my fault?

Nah - Driving into the path of an oncoming vehicle - or T Boning them - is always their fault not the oncoming drivers.

 

[sedge]

I think you will find exactly the same sanctions apply be they legal or illegal drugs.

Correct there is no difference, if I'm stopped for whatever reason and my blood glucose is below 5.0 (needs to be 5 to drive) they can have me for driving under the influence of drugs ie Insulin - which actually isn't a drug anyway, it's a hormone! But that IS the offence, end of story.

 

[Puddleduck]

Suppose I was on the main road driving under the speed limit and a driver pulls out of a drive in front of me, would that still be my fault?

In some countries if you are a non-resident you are automatically to blame as if you hadn't been there there would not have been an accident.

My sister works overseas a great deal and always makes sure that an on-call driver is part of her renumeration package for that very reason.

When I was performing certain duties it was stipulated a no alcohol rule for At least 24 hrs beforehand and we were subject to random testing, if the slightest trace and I mean trace was found then it was a disciplinary offence and no more job.

That was the case when I worked in a factory which handled dangerous chemicals.

One thing I didn't realise was the much lower alcohol permitted levels in Scotland.
22micrograms per 100 ml of breath against rest of UK at 35, which in Scotland is less than three quarters of a pint.

It's been like that for a while and is part of the information given to anyone attending rallies in Scotland

Has anyone here been breathalysed?

Once in a Christmas purge when one driver in every so many was stopped. Obviously I was clear.

Why don't the same sanctions apply to drivers on drugs? Walk past a chemist and people are coming out with armfulls of drugs and nobody seems to know the effects on driving ability.

I always read the information leaflet and anything from a trusted source that I can get hold of online. Generally if starting new drugs I would take the first dose late Friday or early Saturday so that any effects would be known on days I would not be leaving home. If worried one can always ask the pharmacist.

Low blood glucose really can be an issue for anyone, not just diabetics. How many people don't eat for a couple of days and then drive when feeling faint and hungry? When I had a major incident in hospital my blood glucose was found to be less than 4 - and I am not diabetic! (no I had not driven there myself - I'd been in hospital for a couple of days prior).

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