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S.Powers
Social climber
Jtree, now in Alaska
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Jan 18, 2009 - 11:30pm PT
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I will drive after one, after that its walking or a cab.
I totally agree with the hypocrisy issue.
Ive grown up a lot.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
climber
the ground up
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Jan 19, 2009 - 02:35am PT
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Last one for me the officer said he appriciated that I told the truth .. but it was just cuz I did a " california stop " .
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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Jan 19, 2009 - 02:39am PT
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The only time I've ever had to do 'the walk' was since I've been in Oregon and it was in the Dalles under pretty much the exact same circumstances and script, only I didn't have to blow (maybe they didn't have them back in '89?). Decades of walking tightrope did hurt either, but I wouldn't want to have to count on that if I really were drunk...
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quartziteflight
climber
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Jan 19, 2009 - 08:59am PT
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The truth is we live in a weak society with too many laws.
Driving drunk shouldn't be a crime. Doing damage to any type of property or personal well being is the real crime.
I know this guy. He's a raging alcoholic. I don't like the dude one bit. He crashed his car into a grandmother who was raising her grandaughter by herself. Killed the grandmother. Got off with 9months in jail. Preventative laws aren't going to stop someone like that. Consequences are.
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graniteclimber
Trad climber
Nowhere
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Jan 26, 2009 - 03:38pm PT
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"I know this guy. He's a raging alcoholic. I don't like the dude one bit. He crashed his car into a grandmother who was raising her grandaughter by herself. Killed the grandmother. Got off with 9months in jail. Preventative laws aren't going to stop someone like that. Consequences are."
If people made rational decisions based on potential consequences, nobody would play the lottery.
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Mikep_
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Jan 26, 2009 - 04:07pm PT
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This is what I got from talking to an ex-cop.
.08 (legal limit in most states) is definitely drunk, high, buzzed...
NEVER say I had 2 beers. Every drunk driver in America says he only had 2 beers.
A question is a question. If he can order you to do something he will. This said, saying no to a cop takes some courage. Be polite and deferential but if he is asking he probably does not have as much probable cause as he'd like.
If you get a bit pissed off, do not move around aggressively, do not get sarcastic, do not even put you hands on your hips (this is legally concidered a fighting stance) What you should do if you are mad is, eat it, shut up and do what you are told. You can regain your manhood later.
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graniteclimber
Trad climber
Nowhere
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Jan 26, 2009 - 04:37pm PT
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"NEVER say I had 2 beers. Every drunk driver in America says he only had 2 beers."
Even if you've only had two beers? You're supposed to lie?
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Gorgeous George
Trad climber
Los Angeles, California
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Jan 26, 2009 - 04:51pm PT
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Ok, free legal advice for all my rock climbing companeros, because we've all been there at one time or another.
First, the obvious, if you're going to drink, have a designated driver. Don't f*#k around unless you're honestly going to limit your intake to two beers, glasses of wine, or shots of hard liquor. Unless you're a bear (200 punds or more) that's your limit to stay under the .08 California limit (c0nservative). The cost of defense, fines, court fees, and drunk driving classes is way upwards of $2,000.00 minimum.
Second, do not lie to the cops. That's a separate offense, and an officer who is willing to give you a break will appreciate your honesty, those that don't think you're lying anyway. If you don't pass your f.s.t. or breathe higher than a .08 in the field breathalyzer, your likely to get charged and then those false statements will be used against you.
Third, everyone says they drank only two drinks, and the cops already try to see behind that one. The more important thing is your mannerisms, are you focused, are you slurring your words, are you being belligerent. They are trained to look at your behavior. If you are asked to take the f.s.t., take a deep breath and listen closely to their instructions. The main part of the test is do you follow their instructions. Most people don't, and therein lies their downfall.
Above all, be respectful, courteous, and cooperative. If you have another driver available, you might get lucky and he'll suggest they drive you home.
Did I say don't drive if you've been drinking? That's the only advice worth a sh#t in what I just said.
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jrenee
climber
Boulder, CO
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Jan 26, 2009 - 05:01pm PT
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Stich said: "Never tell the police you were at a party, ever.
Never BLOW into a cop's breathalizer unless you are sure you will BLOW low. Ask to use the one at the ER at a hospital."
And if you're too drunk to remember that, just offer the cop a BLOW job.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jan 26, 2009 - 05:08pm PT
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Don't drive if you've been smoking (marijuana), either. Or using other drugs, prescription or 'recreational', that may or do affect your ability to drive.
They can still get you for DUI, if your driving and other behaviour provide the legal proof. Whether or not a blood test would be possible or definitive.
And the police know that people dumb enough to smoke marijuana and drive, and who are pulled over for probable cause, probably are in possession of whatever caused them to be impaired. They may or may not prosecute you for the impaired, but will happily prosecute you for possession. A sure winner. Like shooting fish in a barrel, as a police friend once said.
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Alpine Raven
Mountain climber
Eugene, OR
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Jan 26, 2009 - 05:21pm PT
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To answer the original question--DON'T DRINK AND THEN DRIVE.
Last Thursday night a drunk 24 yr. old man (a blood test showed blood-alcohol content at the time of the crash was .21 percent) was driving 70 in a 45 mph zone, ran a ted light, T-boned another vehicle and sent it into a power pole. He survived. In the vehicle he obliterated: he killed a mother and her daughter, he killed another mother and he critically injured her son, and he also killed another girl riding in the car. He killed 4 people and critically injured a young boy now on life support. Worst accident ever in Eugene, OR. Some of the medics and police could hardly stomach it. He pretty much destroyed 3 families because he chose to drink and then get into a 3 ton SUV and drive it 70 mph in town.
Please, don't drink and then "think" you can drive. Ask a friend, take a Taxi...
David
Eugene, Oregon
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Bart Fay
Social climber
Redlands, CA
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Jan 26, 2009 - 05:52pm PT
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FYI. An officer friend commented that he will routinely say that he smells beer/booze.
I guess this make most guilty people react poorly.
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Evel
Trad climber
Nederland
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Jan 26, 2009 - 06:06pm PT
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Just a small tidbit of info re: the officers remark that he "smelled alchohol". Alchohol is an odorless liquid. Might not help ya out on the scene, but in court the statement is inadmissable. (As an EMT-P for many years, I've always documented an odor of "alchoholic beverage".) Hopefully with our change in leadership will also come a change in police harrassment tactics. Let's all be safe out there!
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