Legal drinking age, dui limits, etc

[StageLeft]

Should the legal drinking age be lowered, raised, or remain the same? Why?

Lowered to 18 or 19. If you can vote/get married/join army you can drink IMO.

Are DUI limits (0.08 in most states) adequate, too high, too low? Why?

.08 is the top I'd like to see it. I know that when I'm there I can feel the alcohol and alcohol inhibits driving, so even at .08 a person is not as good a driver as when they have no booze (unless they are keenly aware of it and drive extra careful - most people are too stupid to do this, however.)

Should zero tolerance be taken more seriously or less seriously then it currently is? Why?

Yes. When you're caught DUI you should get gang-f**ked so that people stop doing it. Oh I'm talking in regards to DUI, not zero for kids.

What new laws would you like to see added regarding alcohol consumption? Which ones should be removed? Why?

When you get caught with one DUI for 5 years you should have to breath into a breathalizer before your car will start.

 

[Aceshigh]

I think the drinking age should stay where it's at. Not only that but it needs to be truly enforced.

Why? Because college kids 18-20 drinking act so stupid it's not even funny. Plain and simple. When they are drunk they are often a danger to those around them as well as themselves.

I was 21 before I even tasted alcohol. Now I am in my late 20's and I drink socially on a regular basis. Alcohol should be used responsibly.

There is nothing stupider than seeing underage kids drunk off their asses and acting stupid. Unfortunately it seems to be the accepted practice at colleges these days.

 

[TheCorm]

UK.... Drinking = 18 Driving = 17
US.... Drinking = 21 Driving = 16
Canada.. Drinking = 19 Driving = erm...16 is it??

I think that driving is more dangerous thank drinking, I mean you are trying round something that can flatten someone with ease...drink can pretty much only leave you flat faced on the floor.

I think a sensible move would be for all friendly nations to adopt an 18+ policy for all of these. I know it would make a lot of young people moan that they couldn't drive until they are 18.....but they should.....they can see....the thing is....TOUGH!!

Think how much better you 18th could be....see any movies, go almost anywhere, drink, drive,......it would even better!

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: SnapIT
Here in Sweden, drinking age is 18, DUI limit is 0.2... In Denmark drinking age is 16, DUI limit is 0.5.... Swedes love Denmark...

BAC of 0.5 equals death.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: SnapIT
Here in Sweden, drinking age is 18, DUI limit is 0.2... In Denmark drinking age is 16, DUI limit is 0.5.... Swedes love Denmark...

BAC of 0.5 equals death.

Pretty much, unless you were Hank the Angry Midget.

 

[iamwiz82]

i know a guy who blew a .38 last month and was driving :Q He fell asleep in the left turn lane and was seen by a cop.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: Millennium
My feeling are this: 1. Lower the drinking age to 18. 2. Get rid of zero tolerance laws for minors. It causes more harm than good and it rarely enforced anyway. 3. DUI limit 0.10. 4. DUI punishment should be EXTREMELY HARSH. 5. We need better testing supplies and equipment and better training for officers. 6. Get rid of Sunday liquor laws and other laws that say you cannot buy alcohol a at a certain time. 7. More education for people on the affects of alcohol.

I agree with Milennium


Ausm

 

[Maverick]

those of you who keep saying tolerance makes a difference on how much you can legally drink before driving...I got news for you...it doesn't.

I knew a guy that was a total alcoholic and he got himself a DUI. His bac was .099 and he said he felt completely sober. Having a higher tolerance doesn't affectively lower your BAC with the same amount of alcohol. Your BAC doesn't change, its just how much your BAC affects your judgement that changes. The reasons cops do a sobriety test before they pull out the breathalizer is so they can see if your okay. They only pull out the BAC so they have some proof on their report. Many cops don't even bother with the sobriety test and go straight to the breathalizer. That thing will screw you even if you've got an incredible tolerance.

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
i know a guy who blew a .38 last month and was driving :Q He fell asleep in the left turn lane and was seen by a cop.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over. *bzzt*

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Shiva112
those of you who keep saying tolerance makes a difference on how much you can legally drink before driving...I got news for you...it doesn't.

I knew a guy that was a total alcoholic and he got himself a DUI. His bac was .099 and he said he felt completely sober. Having a higher tolerance doesn't affectively lower your BAC with the same amount of alcohol. Your BAC doesn't change, its just how much your BAC affects your judgement that changes. The reasons cops do a sobriety test before they pull out the breathalizer is so they can see if your okay. They only pull out the BAC so they have some proof on their report. Many cops don't even bother with the sobriety test and go straight to the breathalizer. That thing will screw you even if you've got an incredible tolerance.

Exactly. BAC isn't going to matter, although a 300 lb person might take 6 beers to get to a level that a 150 lb person might only take 2-3. Lots of times people might pass the field sobriety test and then blow over the limit. Sucks for them.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: minendo
Discuss the following questions:

[*]Should the legal drinking age be lowered, raised, or remain the same? Why?
[*]Are DUI limits (0.08 in most states) adequate, too high, too low? Why?
[*]Should zero tolerance be taken more seriously or less seriously then it currently is? Why?
[*]What new laws would you like to see added regarding alcohol consumption? Which ones should be removed? Why?

[*]Drinking age should be lowered to 19. The current age of 21 is simply too high. Most kids have already began drinking by then, which fosters in them a lack of respect for the law. Age 18 is too low because many kids that age are still in high school, so 19 should be perfect.

[*]0.08 is too low. They should go back to the old standard of 0.10. The drive to 0.08 occurred a few years ago with the police organizations pushing for it, and the only thing it has proven to do is increase DUI arrests without reducing DUI accidents or fatalities. The reason for this is that 0.08 is a level so low that most people don't feel impaired at that level and many people actually are NOT. At 0.10 though, virtually everyone IS impaired and they know it.
True story here: 2 years ago, a state senator in Oregon tried to push for 0.04 limits, demanding that our roads be "even more safe." The matter was hotly debated for hours and looked as though it was going to pass when suddenly another senator stood up and said,"What you are saying is if I go out to dinner with my wife, have one glass of wine with dinner, then I cannot drive her home?" The bill failed.

[*]Zero Tolerance should be done any with, that's all. Another true story here: a few years ago, in my hometown, an 18 year-old was off to his senior prom. His parents, Eastern European immigrants, decided to follow their culture and have their son drink one glass of wine with them to celebrate the occassion. On the way to the prom, he was pulled over by the city police for unknown reasons (was not swerving etc), and cited with a DUI after blowing 0.01. When he explained what happened to the officer, the police arrested the parents for Contributing to the Deliquency of a Minor. :disgust:

[*]Can't think of any I would like added... Removed? Locally, I would like to see the corrupt OLCC and WSLCB dismantled, with liquor being made available in grocery stores (like CA) and the end of drinking sale hours (like NV).

 

[SnapIT]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: SnapIT
Here in Sweden, drinking age is 18, DUI limit is 0.2... In Denmark drinking age is 16, DUI limit is 0.5.... Swedes love Denmark...

BAC of 0.5 equals death.

Probably different sets of measurments then, that would be 0.5 promille (thousands) of 1 liter of blood... When i was in hospital for alcohol poisoning 17 years ago i had 3,2 o/oo

 

[WhiteKnight]

Lower age to 19, keep it out of high schools. Strictly enforce.

 

[rgwalt]

I don't really have any information to back up any comments on the last three points, but here is my opinion on the first point.

It is not the government's job to protect us from our own stupidity. Having the legal drinking age at 21 to protect young people from making poor decisions is rediculous. Having the drinking age be 21 for the sake of lowering accident rates and protecting the populace isn't a bad idea, but the truth is that the majority of the people that cause the problems and drive drunk will do so under the age of 21 despite the laws against underage drinking.

For me, ultimately it comes down to this... If our government can forcably draft men at the age of 18 and send enlisted 18 year old men and women to fight and die in war, then these young adults should be able to go out and drink a beer. If you can be expected to give the ultimate sacrifice for your country at the age of 18, then you should be given the full set of rights afforded to any person living in the US.

Ryan

 

[SnapIT]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Should the legal drinking age be lowered, raised, or remain the same? Why?

Lowered to 18 or 19. If you can vote/get married/join army you can drink IMO.

Are DUI limits (0.08 in most states) adequate, too high, too low? Why?

.08 is the top I'd like to see it. I know that when I'm there I can feel the alcohol and alcohol inhibits driving, so even at .08 a person is not as good a driver as when they have no booze (unless they are keenly aware of it and drive extra careful - most people are too stupid to do this, however.)

Should zero tolerance be taken more seriously or less seriously then it currently is? Why?

Yes. When you're caught DUI you should get gang-f**ked so that people stop doing it. Oh I'm talking in regards to DUI, not zero for kids.

What new laws would you like to see added regarding alcohol consumption? Which ones should be removed? Why?

When you get caught with one DUI for 5 years you should have to breath into a breathalizer before your car will start.

I agree with everything you said... except one thing, if you ever get caught a second time, you should spend time with bubba and the gang...

 

[Haircut]

Can I just ask something about the drinking age in the US.

Is it actually a drinking age, i.e. it is illegal to drink at all until you are 21, or is it, as is the case here in England, that you are not to buy alcohol, but are allowed to drink it (except in a bar or other licenced premises)

 

[rgwalt]

Originally posted by: Haircut
Can I just ask something about the drinking age in the US.

Is it actually a drinking age, i.e. it is illegal to drink at all until you are 21, or is it, as is the case here in England, that you are not to buy alcohol, but are allowed to drink it (except in a bar or other licenced premises)

Nope, you aren't allowed to buy or consume alcohol in the US before the age of 21. Typically states nail people for underage possession of alcohol, however some states have an internal possession law that states if you have alcohol in your body, you are in possession and are in violation of the law.

Under the age of 21 you can sell and distribute alcohol. So, if you are a server at a restaurant you can serve alcohol at the age of 18. Also, at the age of 18 you can drive a truck to distribute alcohol (transporting alcohol to stores and restaurants, etc) and you can even own and operate a liquor store. You just can drink it or take a bottle home with you.

Ryan

 

[Vadatajs]

when they changed the limit from .1 to .08 in texas more innocent people went to jail.

That's bullsh!t and you know it. They were hardly innocent.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Haircut
Can I just ask something about the drinking age in the US.

Is it actually a drinking age, i.e. it is illegal to drink at all until you are 21, or is it, as is the case here in England, that you are not to buy alcohol, but are allowed to drink it (except in a bar or other licenced premises)

You cannot buy it or drink in a public place. It is illegal to possess or use under the age of 21, except in some states where you may possess or use in your own private dwelling(i.e. your own house).

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Vadatajs

when they changed the limit from .1 to .08 in texas more innocent people went to jail.

That's bullsh!t and you know it. They were hardly innocent.

ex post facto they were.

 

[Haircut]

Originally posted by: rgwalt

Originally posted by: Haircut
Can I just ask something about the drinking age in the US.

Is it actually a drinking age, i.e. it is illegal to drink at all until you are 21, or is it, as is the case here in England, that you are not to buy alcohol, but are allowed to drink it (except in a bar or other licenced premises)

Nope, you aren't allowed to buy or consume alcohol in the US before the age of 21. Typically states nail people for underage possession of alcohol, however some states have an internal possession law that states if you have alcohol in your body, you are in possession and are in violation of the law.

Under the age of 21 you can sell and distribute alcohol. So, if you are a server at a restaurant you can serve alcohol at the age of 18. Also, at the age of 18 you can drive a truck to distribute alcohol (transporting alcohol to stores and restaurants, etc) and you can even own and operate a liquor store. You just can drink it or take a bottle home with you.

Ryan

hmm, that seems pretty harsh.
It's a little known fact that the drinking age here is actually 5 years old in a private dwelling

UK alcohol laws

 

[agnitrate]

Originally posted by: Millennium
My feeling are this:

1. Lower the drinking age to 18.
2. Get rid of zero tolerance laws for minors. It causes more harm than good and it rarely enforced anyway.
3. DUI limit 0.10.
4. DUI punishment should be EXTREMELY HARSH.
5. We need better testing supplies and equipment and better training for officers.
6. Get rid of Sunday liquor laws and other laws that say you cannot buy alcohol a at a certain time.
7. More education for people on the affects of alcohol.

Those are pretty much my thoughts as well. I'm not sure about .08->.1 because I honestly don't know the difference. I think .08 is 2 or 3 drinks, IIRC so if .1 is 3 or 4, that seems reasonable to me.

-We need to train the officers more intensely on how to accurately perform a sobriety test. This is a big issue.

-Sunday liquor laws are bullcrap.

Lower the age to 18 and just be done with it. God knows I've done my share of underage drinking. The laws don't stop people from drinking. It just makes me find people older than 21 to buy me the alcohol. Hell, I guarantee if you drop the legal drinking age to 18, the economy will flourish. You just created a whole new market to consume products.

Do I really care if they change this law? No. It would be nice, but it's not going to stop me.

-silver

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: SnapIT
Here in Sweden, drinking age is 18, DUI limit is 0.2... In Denmark drinking age is 16, DUI limit is 0.5.... Swedes love Denmark...

Come on now, that's not the only reason you boys come over all the time is it? Naw, maybe it has something to do with the fact that beer is like twice as expensive on your side Sometimes, I swear I meet more Swedes in Copenhagen bars than I do Danes.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: Aceshigh
I think the drinking age should stay where it's at. Not only that but it needs to be truly enforced.

Why? Because college kids 18-20 drinking act so stupid it's not even funny. Plain and simple. When they are drunk they are often a danger to those around them as well as themselves.

I was 21 before I even tasted alcohol. Now I am in my late 20's and I drink socially on a regular basis. Alcohol should be used responsibly.

There is nothing stupider than seeing underage kids drunk off their asses and acting stupid. Unfortunately it seems to be the accepted practice at colleges these days.

That's some super reasoning there buddy. College kids drink underage and act stupid, so they shouldn't be allowed to drink. Nevermind the fact that this doesn't really seem to stop at 21 (or do you not remember college?) After all, there's nothing like forming some ignorant ass opinion from this old man viewpoint of "those kids today, all rowdy and stupid" based on a few instances that stand out from the many, many instances of college kids drinking and nothing bad at all happening. Since you don't seem to remember college, let me give you a little refresher. Yes, there are parties (OMG!!!) where people drink...underage (OMG!!!), they get a little silly, dance poorly, hit on girls way out of their league and have some fun. At the end of the night, they crash on a couch (or the floor) of the host, they get a ride home with a sober friend, they take the drunk bus (many colleges have them now) home, or they just walk (stumble) home. Drunk driving is something that rarely happens.

See, the reason the law stays in place is because old people (like you apparently) seem to have this lense they use to look at college, and all they see is rowdy, stupid kids who are never going to make a difference in the world, if they even survive all that partying and drinking. What they don't see is how responsible (for the most part) college kids are.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i think the drinking age should be done away with. you'd get a couple years of teens boosing but i think after a short while you'd have people having more respect for what alcohol does to you and you'd get much less binge drinking than currently. why do underage drinkers binge? it has to do with not having access to alcohol and not being taught how to drink. for those that used to binge drink when did they stop? 9 times out of 10 i'll bet its when they turned 21.

when they changed the limit from .1 to .08 in texas more innocent people went to jail.

Drunk drivers are innocent?