How do decide what is your drinking limit when driving?

[BurnItDwn]

My general limit is around 3 beers for going out for dinner and having a couple drinks after. If I go to a BBQ or something for 10 hours, I will drink more, and usually fiancee will drive us home. Or, I may drink more quantity, but, mostly they will be gose, or session ales, stuff generally under 6% abv

Note, 1 beer for me is usually 12-15oz of 8-10pct ale. (aka ~2 beers on most calculators), I am around 300 pounds in size, so this brings me to about 1/2 the legal limit. I always give myself buffer room to play it safe. Normally I will have 0 or 1 when I go out for dinner.

 

[Fingolfin269]

i know in maryland, if your keys are in the ignition - even if the engine is not running - you can be charged with a DUI.

I guess that means these push to start vehicles are basically always 'key in the ignition' then. Best to just dump the keys outside I guess!

 

[88keys]

I work with a guy here in Ohio that got a DUI for sleeping in his car after he had a few too many. He had his keys in his pocket and that was enough to charge him. Seems like a bunch of BS, but that's the law.

i know in maryland, if your keys are in the ignition - even if the engine is not running - you can be charged with a DUI.

I really hate it when people get charged for shit like that when they're actually doing the right thing. And technically it should be illegal to charge someone with a DUI because the operative term is "Driving" and if the person is not 'Driving' how can he be charged with a DUI?

 

[GeekDrew]

I really hate it when people get charged for shit like that when they're actually doing the right thing. And technically it should be illegal to charge someone with a DUI because the operative term is "Driving" and if the person is not 'Driving' how can he be charged with a DUI?

In Ohio, and I imagine elsewhere, it's actually OMVI - Operating a Motor Vehicle while Impaired - and having the ability to drive (possession of keys) counts as operation.

It's stupid.

 

[who?]

Did Ohio get that OVI phrase from Britain? Nobody else in the U.S.A. uses that silly term. Do they think that driving only happens in golf or are they using that ancient law dictionary that says driving involves horses pulling a wagon?

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I simply go based off how I feel. The issue for most people is they always get this macho overconfidence manly attitude when they drink.

I just have fun and laugh when I start drinking to excess. I also have no problem handing my keys over.

That said, If I drink 3-4 drinks, I then calculate how long I have been drinking. If I have been somewhere for 3+ hours, I factor in the GENERAL rule that your body processes approx 1 drink/hour and judge for myself my confidence level of drinking not playing a part in my driving results.

 

[destrekor]

Did Ohio get that OVI phrase from Britain? Nobody else in the U.S.A. uses that silly term. Do they think that driving only happens in golf or are they using that ancient law dictionary that says driving involves horses pulling a wagon?

Ohio has been constantly changing it, it seems.

It used to be called a DUI here. Then it was called a DWI. As of late, they call it OVI. (I don't believe they actually make a distinction of "motor vehicle" - I've only seen it referenced as Operating Vehicle under the Influence).

It makes as much sense as the time Ohio moved from having a DMV to a BMV.

I mean... some people have to do things in government simply to have something get done under their charge. Same reason military regulations are always changing - it looks good for somebody's evaluation.

 

[MongGrel]

I think I recall about 20 years ago some guy got on his horse down here and was snoozing on the way home letting the horse find its way back and he got a DUI.

Go figure.

 

[GeekDrew]

Ohio has been constantly changing it, it seems.

It used to be called a DUI here. Then it was called a DWI. As of late, they call it OVI. (I don't believe they actually make a distinction of "motor vehicle" - I've only seen it referenced as Operating Vehicle under the Influence).

It makes as much sense as the time Ohio moved from having a DMV to a BMV.

I mean... some people have to do things in government simply to have something get done under their charge. Same reason military regulations are always changing - it looks good for somebody's evaluation.

I am not an officer, so I don't know the particulars of operating a vehicle as it pertains to motored or not. I do know that we internally (I work for an Ohio government agency that includes law enforcement) refer to it as OMVI, and our systems refer to it that way also, and that it can be issued for basically anything with a motor - powered bar stools, lawn mowers, golf carts, etc.

 

[ControlD]

I am not an officer, so I don't know the particulars of operating a vehicle as it pertains to motored or not. I do know that we internally (I work for an Ohio government agency that includes law enforcement) refer to it as OMVI, and our systems refer to it that way also, and that it can be issued for basically anything with a motor - powered bar stools, lawn mowers, golf carts, etc.

There is also OVI in Ohio, and you can in fact be charged for riding a bicycle drunk. It carries the same penalties as driving a car while drunk.

 

[GeekDrew]

There is also OVI in Ohio, and you can in fact be charged for riding a bicycle drunk. It carries the same penalties as driving a car while drunk.

TIL. That's fun.*

* a goddamned horrifying example of government overreach

 

[ControlD]

TIL. That's fun.*

* a goddamned horrifying example of government overreach

Yes it is.

I actually know some poor SOB that got a DUI (was some time ago) riding his bike home. He was too drunk to drive, so someone took his keys. He hopped on a bike and headed towards home. Got about half a mile down the road and a cop stopped him and took him in. Poor bastard probably would have been better off driving home. Up until then I had no idea bicycling drunk was a full DUI.

 

[brianmanahan]

TIL. That's fun.*

* a g******d horrifying example of government overreach

also there's no buying alcohol on sundays here west of cleveland

 

[ControlD]

also there's no buying alcohol on sundays here west of cleveland

But beer is OK.

 

[destrekor]

I am not an officer, so I don't know the particulars of operating a vehicle as it pertains to motored or not. I do know that we internally (I work for an Ohio government agency that includes law enforcement) refer to it as OMVI, and our systems refer to it that way also, and that it can be issued for basically anything with a motor - powered bar stools, lawn mowers, golf carts, etc.

:hmm:

Well on the Ohio ticket (at least, from the Highway Patrol), there is only a block for OVI.

How it works back in the government books, no idea, but as the law is presented to citizens by the lawmen and courts, it seems they just lump everything into OVI, because it's nice and tidy and covers everything.

If they were to get someone for pedaling a bike though, that is some horseshit. I've heard of hassling before but I feel like I've heard it usually ends up being some lesser disorderly conduct type of charge.

 

[natto fire]

There is also OVI in Ohio, and you can in fact be charged for riding a bicycle drunk. It carries the same penalties as driving a car while drunk.

Weird. I lived in Ohio when I actually had a very bad spill on a bicycle while drunk. I was not more than a mile from OSU medical center when it happened. This was over seven years ago, and I was not charged with anything, but I remember the staff being surprised I got so messed up from a bicycle. I have wires and pins in my face, because I was so lit I did not place my hands and arms in front of me, and my face absorbed all the impact to the curb.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I never drive unless I've had at least a fifth.

 

[GeekDrew]

also there's no buying alcohol on sundays here west of cleveland

That's all local stuff. Every county/municipality/precinct can do their own thing. Which is also stupid.

 

[Ns1]

As long as I'm not throwing up on myself it's all good.

 

[_Rick_]

At most one small beer early in the evening, and plenty of time, food and water after, until I drive again.
It helps that I don't get drunk - whether I drive or don't.

I'm actually more worried about being tired while driving, which happens a lot more too, and is way scarier. But sadly, there's currently no way for me to do my job and not drive tired...

 

[Muse]

If given the choice, I'd rather a person get behind a wheel after one beer than have a cell phone in the car. To me that is a much greater risk than a single drink.

I used my cell phone a couple of months ago while driving in the car, but not until I'd pulled over to the curb and stopped.

 

[Muse]

This, exactly. I don't have any concept of how many beers equals 0.08 for me. One? A dozen? I suspect that most people don't have an accurate idea, even if they think they do.

I'm no expert but I've heard stuff. I'd guess a couple of beers might put you close if the time frame was small enough (and your body mass).

 

[brianmanahan]

That's all local stuff. Every county/municipality/precinct can do their own thing. Which is also stupid.

yeah, there's a few on the ballot upcoming to allow it in some places

 

[TeeJay1952]

Rule of thumb for when to start drinking on the road:
Drink all you want but when you stop to piss you are done driving.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

I believe that in California there is/was DWI, while intoxicated .08+, and DUI, under the influence, (zero tolerance) less than .08. That meant you *could* be cited for having any measurable alcohol in your system.