The drunken P-Platers of Belconnen

Breathalisers – what if the algorythm is out? If someone claims they tested themselves before they left a venue and is done for being a bit over, who is to blame?

People should know how much they can drink to stay under – one standard drink an hour is usually acceptable (most men and have an extra one in the first hour). If you’re going to go out and get pissed, leave the car at home. End of story.

Boring_Name said :

, though it seems to stop at slapping up a few posters in the toilets and installing a breathalyser at the door..

My old local has a breathalyser, drunks used it to break their own PBs, so they put a charge on it. Now i’m yet to see anyone use it, driver or not. Same with free soft-drink for designated drivers, too many people used it, so they removed the system. Basically, they’re not going to change unless they’re forced to.

Walker said :

What are bar staff rights and are they well enough trained to be able to stop anyone who looks like they’re going to do something stupid? I’ve seen bar staff hesitate before, confronted with some fast talkers staggering out keys in hand.

I’ve seen bouncers/door-people at some clubs just stand there while blotto patrons amble straight out the door and hop into their cars. I’ve also seen a bouncer very seriously telling some guy that if he sees his car gone, he will at the very least tear up his membership, though that was only once. It does seems more towards the former.

What is the legal stance towards venues in this regard? Nothing I assume. I’m guessing it’s pretty tricky anyway, as those who want to drive will find a way to avoid the scrutiny of a venue’s staff. Clubs at least are taking some initiative, though it seems to stop at slapping up a few posters in the toilets and installing a breathalyser at the door.

I think it’s misguided, but the drink driving laws in Japan extend to the venue where the alcohol was served, often with far greater punishment than those of the actual criminal. It has forced bars to be very careful about the serving of alcohol, even resorting to have punters sign a waver stating that they are either the designated driver, or they will not be driving home. Misguided, yes, but the rate of drink driving offenses has been dropping since it’s inception.

Walker said :

What are bar staff rights and are they well enough trained to be able to stop anyone who looks like they’re going to do something stupid? I’ve seen bar staff hesitate before, confronted with some fast talkers staggering out keys in hand.

No right to forceably take keys off someone. If you’re a local, your bar staff might be able to get away with it but that’s generally because locals and bar staff are usually on good terms personally.

Bar staff can call police, but what are they going to say? “Some bloke whose name I don’t know is likely to drive away in a car, the details of which I don’t know either.” It’s tough.

Basically, it should be up to patrons to manage how much they drink and how they behave thereafter.

Foresight is not a big thing these days, not just P platers but quite a few others who should know better. Then again some people don’t look like they cared, even before they hit the drink.

What are bar staff rights and are they well enough trained to be able to stop anyone who looks like they’re going to do something stupid? I’ve seen bar staff hesitate before, confronted with some fast talkers staggering out keys in hand.

Stupidity is its own reward. The sad thing is that The Frots very sensible suggestions won’t be followed, and these arsehats will almost certainly be threatening all our lives on the road again within a few days.

My wife and I went to a dinner party on Saturday night, and for once she was the designated driver. Our little personal breathalyser told me that I was at 0.12 when we left, which just confirmed my own impression that I was in no state to drive.

These people (and particularly the multiple recidivists) who are driving at 0.15 should be charged with something like attempted murder, and they should be made to do some very hard time.

Cheap said :

Best way to avoid detection when you’re driving drunk is to run red lights…

Or to start a drunken fight at the pub and then get in the car whilst the police are watching.

Best way to avoid detection when you’re driving drunk is to run red lights…

Suspend their licences for 5 years. Second offence – suspend it for 15 years. Third offence – cancel it for life + jail time.