Science panel backs lower drunken driving threshold.

[fishinwrench]

In all reality when is it ever ok to drink?

You never know when you're gonna get a phone call and have to immediately go help someone.  You never know when a family member is going to fall down the stairs, dump a pan of hot grease on themselves, or accidentally lacerate an artery with a paring knife, and you're gonna have to deal well with that....and then drive.     The night that the tornado hit here I'm sure glad that I was sober, because it took some seriously quick thinking and coordination to keep us all alive.  

I guess that people that start drinking at 5:00 every day, and pass out by 11:30 just assume they have no responsibility to anyone should something happen that requires all of their skills.  My mom was a heavy drinker and I grew up knowing that I couldn't depend on her for anything.  That kinda sucked.

[Ketchup]

Perfect situation wrench. 

Tho i dont drink/smoke, im not against those that do. All that i have ever told my buds, friends, family members that drink was, be responsible if you do. 

Smallie-jd, im 100% with you guys on the texting crap. Atleast once a week my wife gets her embarrassment moment while out on the town with me. I have had many talks with drivers at red lights, most didnt go well, but i still speak my mind. Especially when i follow them to wherever their going after witnessing them about side swipe a few vehicles. I had a guy pull out a 2' wood bat at a red light one saturday afternoon, after i asked him if he knew how bad his driving was. He put it away really quick tho. 

I recently watched a youtube video of motorcycle police overseas somewhere, China maybe. The motorcycle cops drove between cars stopped at lights to see if any were texting. If so they would have them pull over, and ticket them. Why cant we do that here? 

[Ketchup]

3 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

In all reality when is it ever ok to drink?

You never know when you're gonna get a phone call and have to immediately go help someone.  You never know when a family member is going to fall down the stairs, dump a pan of hot grease on themselves, or accidentally lacerate an artery with a paring knife, and you're gonna have to deal well with that....and then drive.     The night that the tornado hit here I'm sure glad that I was sober, because it took some seriously quick thinking and coordination to keep us all alive.  

I guess that people that start drinking at 5:00 every day, and pass out by 11:30 just assume they have no responsibility to anyone should something happen that requires all of their skills.  My mom was a heavy drinker and I grew up knowing that I couldn't depend on her for anything.  That kinda sucked.

My mom was the exact same. Hated it/her for it. Moved away with my dad when i was 10, and didnt talk to her until i was 30. 

[Al Agnew]

8 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

In all reality when is it ever ok to drink?

You never know when you're gonna get a phone call and have to immediately go help someone.  You never know when a family member is going to fall down the stairs, dump a pan of hot grease on themselves, or accidentally lacerate an artery with a paring knife, and you're gonna have to deal well with that....and then drive.     The night that the tornado hit here I'm sure glad that I was sober, because it took some seriously quick thinking and coordination to keep us all alive.  

I guess that people that start drinking at 5:00 every day, and pass out by 11:30 just assume they have no responsibility to anyone should something happen that requires all of their skills.  My mom was a heavy drinker and I grew up knowing that I couldn't depend on her for anything.  That kinda sucked.

That's a very good point.  I don't have a problem with people drinking in moderation, getting mildly buzzed in social situations (as long as they don't drive home).  But getting sloppy drunk anytime is just plain stupid in my book.  Getting drunk enough that you MIGHT do something stupid or embarrassing that you wouldn't ordinarily do is going too far (you can't fix stupid but you should be able to fix stupid drunk).  Of course, the responsibility comes BEFORE you take the first drink.

I used to drink two beers after playing basketball, and one beer or a small amount of sipping scotch about three or four nights a week while sitting at home.  All the guys I drank beer with after b-ball quit playing (dang, it's heck getting old but at least I'm still trying) so I don't even drink those two anymore.  Even though I like the taste of some beers and good scotch whiskey (hate any expensive wine, though), I can probably count on the fingers of both hands the times I've actually been drunk.

I'm drinking a Corona with half a lemon squeezed into it as I type this...my one drink of the night.  I live a boring life but I like it.

[Mitch f]

12 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

  I live a boring life but I like it.

X2 

Call it boring, dependable, whatever you want. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I hate drama

[terryj1024]

I drive a semi for a living I pulled two trailers to Kansas City and back five nights a week. Almost every person that passes me is staring at their phone whether they're texting or on the Internet. I did almost get hit head-on last year by a drunk driver on the 4-lane he was going the wrong direction when the police stopped him they said they were 60 empty beer bottles in his vehicle. I have to agree that a guy drinking a six-pack is not my worry it's the guy staring at his phone cuz he doesn't know what's going on the guy that almost hit me head not had a six-pack he had 60 beers. I do drink beer if I have more than two or three my wife drives or I don't drink but something definitely needs to be done about distracted driving

[Ketchup]

The thing with cell usage VS impaired is, when you put the cell down the problem is over. With impairment it stays while your behind the wheel. 

I'll take the cell users any day, if i had to pick. Response reaction time with a cell user if faster also, as far as reaction to hitting the brakes, staying in lane, not seeing double, respinding to distance. 

Both cause a serious issue on the roadways. 

Most people are not aware that Missouri has a limited no texting law on the books, since 2009.  For now it includes commercial drivers, novice drivers. Also for drivers 21 and under. We are one of a dozen left that does not have a ban on all texting while driving. Fines need to be steep. 

Today while driving thru Springfield, i seen a total of 5 vehicles that had dogs in the front seat. Of those 2 were med. to large dogs, both on drivers laps. 

[fishinwrench]

I'll admit that I do read and respond to text messages while driving, but I always wait until it's safe to do it.  (On a straight stretch with no oncoming traffic, or at a stop light.  And only during the daytime).  

[jdmidwest]

8 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I'll admit that I do read and respond to text messages while driving, but I always wait until it's safe to do it.  (On a straight stretch with no oncoming traffic, or at a stop light.  And only during the daytime).  

So you are the one texting at a green light that flips the bird when I honk to wake you up. 

[Mitch f]

8 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I'll admit that I do read and respond to text messages while driving, but I always wait until it's safe to do it.  (On a straight stretch with no oncoming traffic, or at a stop light.  And only during the daytime).  

Guilty