Think Back To When You Were Young.

[Jeza]

The breathalyser was introduced in 1967, by the then transport minister Barbara Castle. So can each and every one of you on here say they have never driven when they have been over the limit?

[baza]

not caught in 67, not driven when under the influence since.

[sherrardk]

I never have or have had an alcoholic drink if I am going to drive, not even a half.

[maggiebee]

Did once, long time ago after a party when I couldn't get a taxi and it was hissing it down. Am ashamed to this day and never repeated the experience.

[MASS1961]

I have years ago, about 25 years, not since. Wasn't stopped or breathalysed but I knew I was over the limit.

hangs head in shame

[hc4361]

Drank in a coppers' boozer and we all drove home in the 70s and early 80s.

I was canoodling with my then girlfriend in my car in the 70s when a very drunk policeman asked to look in the boot in case I was hiding a body in there. He drove off laughing his socks off.

[Jeza]

Nor me Sher. I knew someone years ago that was nissed out of his head, knocked a lamppost down and passed the breathalyser. His only punishment was to pay the council for the post. This was in the days of blow in the bag.

[Iluvspikey]

Me.

[sherrardk]

Pre-kids, we walked to the pub. Now, when we go out, we all go together and himself drives (I hate driving with him in the car) and he limits what he has (we aren't out for long - just long enough to eat without anyone getting bored).

[hc4361]

I was driving to work one morning 30 or more years ago and stopped at the traffic lights.
I was woken by a policeman who kindly advised me the lights had gone green and I should get a cup of coffee.

[China Doll]

Never.... but then I don't drive.

[Prudie]

I certainly haven't but it wasn't law then was it Jeza? I clearly remember my parents and their friends driving while quite tipsy in the mid 70s and not thinking they were in the wrong.

[Jeza]

Prudie, the breathalyser was introduced in 1967.

[erin-x]

What is over the limit?

[paddywak]

It was quite normal at the time to jump in your car and drive out to a couple of pubs in the country. It wasn't against the law and as long as you didn't run anybody over or crash on the way home nobody bothered.

[lady-janine]

never have had a drink and driven. saw the result of that when i was much younger and it put me off forever.

[Khandro]

I accept that within law some form of guideline is necessary, but "the limit" is an imprecise term, a large-framed person who drinks, not to excess, but on a daily basis, is quite different from a smaller person drinking alcohol infrequently, this is quite obvious at any social gathering.

[hc4361]

Having a couple glasses of wine with a 3 course meal, followed by coffee is different to having a pint on an empty stomach too.

[Prudie]

I wasn't questioning you Jeza I just know that's what they did. I've had a look and maybe it's that at first the limit was 80mg and was not reduced to 35mg until 1981. Maybe you had to be actually rolling drunk to fail it before then.

[ELVIS68]

I have in the past, wouldn't do it now though

[Chinajan]

I can state that quite categorically.

Because I don't drive. :D