I guess some areas are stricter than others with DUIs. My cousin just got his 3rd DUI in 2 yrs (1 in 2006 and 2 in 2007 so far) this last DUI was about 3 weeks ago and had the added bonus of speeding, reckless driving, attempt to elude, and something that amounted to giving the officer some attitude. He hasn't lost his license yet, not even for a small amount of time. They impound his car and take him to the drunk tank, then the next morning he gets out, goes and gets his car, and thats about it. He drove to his court date last week, I don't know what the courts gave him, if anything, as he still has a license now.

It creeps me out because we live within a few blocks of each other and i bike around the neighborhood a lot. And I think it would be a little extra terrible to be maimed by a relative :eek:

Actually, (and I'm not endorsing this behavior) drunk riding in Amsterdam after the bars closed was one of the more fun and liberating things I've done. I found the need to be alert and aware while under the influence a challenge, but there weren't many pedestrians, and almost no drivers on the roads (except taxis, and I avoided the big streets because of them and the tram tracks). Tram tracks and amsterdammertjes are a hazard to newbies no matter how sober - but once your judgement is impaired, watch out.

Ah! Right - the amsterdammertjes! That's what my friend knocked his teeth out on :eek: .

I have to say that I really enjoy drinking. A nice shiraz, malbec or zin is a wonder to behold. I've never had a DUI, although I've been pulled over in checkstops while being DD [it's awesome - police block a major road and check every single driver who comes by - it's actually illegal to try and get away]. I've told friends that if I see them get into their vehicle while intoxicated, I'll call the cops. They typically give me an angry look, then a very guilty look and hand over their keys.

That said, I've gone home from the bar on my bike while intoxicated. If I'm so drunk I'm having trouble walking, I'll take a cab and pray my bike is still there [wherever "there" is] when I sober up in the morning. My cycling route home takes me through one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Calgary, and they generally aren't the type of people to really be driving around at 3:00 a.m., so the danger of weaving out in front of a vehicle is reduced [but not eliminated]. I also walk my bike across all major intersections, obey all traffic signals, etc. The worst thing that has happened to me [knock on wood] is falling down at a stop sign because I forgot to clip out.

No you aren't.

I used to drink 14 years ago when I was in the military. I never got a DUI though. So, no DUI here. I ride my bike because I want to, not because I need to.

In CA, being intoxicated on a bike on public roads is still a DUI.

Hmmm using local terms... I recognize the reference to PB.

I like cruising down around the beach areas on my fat tire ride, but I don't want to drag it back up the hills to Clairemont.

+1

My first road bike was given to me from an uncle that got a dwi in the early 70's though. We passed the bike back and forth to one another in the 80-00. then I finally bought a new one last year. So his DWI got me started.

Oh man, I hate that hill by USD no matter what bike I'm on :D

Especially after some brews. I live in Squaremont now too LOL

+1
+1
+1
+1

I was just wondering if it would be easier to ride drunk because my mind wonders and I forget I'm walking ... so I'd prob forget I'm peddling.

no DUI here, I just ride cuz I get to listen to tunes in the morning, lose weight, and feel great when I come in.

I usually use Moraga to get up from the beach. Nothing special about it, except it is the only 25MPH street that goes up from the beach. It is quiet and residential.

I used to ride Linda Vista everyday when I lived downtown and worked over by Aero Drive. The ride home was tough... going up Juan street in Old Town.

Funny thing is back then I went over to Squaremont a few times and thought it was just a dive. Now I too live there. (that was back in the day when they showed 2 dollar movies in Clairemont Square... that building is now a restaurant.)

No DUI for me...I wouldn't even consider operating a vehicle while drunk on any public roads, even a bicycle.

Of course, being under 21 I have never, ever actually drank alcohol.

My driving record is as clean as a whistle. :)

I started cycling when I was 6 years old ... so no it had nothing to do with a DUI.

In fact, I've never drunk alcohol and then got into a car to drive. My drinking consists of maybe a glass of something at Christmas, but not if I'm going to drive ... and in thinking about it, the last time I had an alcoholic beverage of any sort was about 2 years ago. I just don't see the point of spending all that money for a beverage.

I also think that drinking and driving charge should not be a slap on the wrist, but rather that the person should be up for attempted murder. IMO that's what drinking and driving amounts to.

I don't have a dui, but I do have a suspended license. I was driving a mini van that belonged to my dad and there was a huge miscommunication and I thought the car was insured when in fact it was not. I had a very minor accident involving a construction zone sign. Subsequently my license was suspended for one year. I think it was in October. My girlfriend doesn't and has never had a license. It ended up being a really good thing and I have no immediate plans to get my license or drive.

I don't have a license, but I'm 24 and have had one for maybe a year all added up my entire life. It never stopped me from driving before, and still doesn't, I am just minimalizing the amount of time I drive. I've gotten it down to once a month, for big stuff, tommorow I'm driving to Brighton to pick up food from an organic food coop. I'm going to try cycling through the winter, and if I can do it without any major problems I'm gonna sell my car and take a cab for the once a month venture in a car I always seem to need.
About the DUI, yeah it could come close to killing someone, I almost killed myself and a friend, only blew a .089. Didn't drink for months, but when I did drink I caught myself almost driving again, very powerful drug, very addictive, and its everywhere.

You know, that's a damned good idea!
As an aside, I was hauling my son around Dodge Park the other day and came across one of the police cycle patrols out there. we rode for a while and talked... he did not have a bell on his bike or any other audible warning device. If I see him again I'll have to make an offhanded comment about it (in jest of course).

I'm sure it is here in MI as well.

Damn right. When I was a kid I occaisionally drove under the influence (though not alcohol).
I finally figured out that was stupid and I haven't done it since. And I've walked my bike home
once or twice.

I couldn't agree more! It's time we got back to an age where people are actually responsible for their own actions.

I think that both the 'I could be next' thing, and that the ramifications of curtailing someone's driving are perceived to be something like economic capital punishment. I wonder if more lawyers biked than drove ferraris they wouldn't try as hard to keep their clients driving regardless of their fitness to do so.

I gather that in Scandinavia they drink a lot (hey, long winter nights), and have stiff penalties if they drive afterward. A Peace Corps friend said he saw a drunk driver shot by a cop at the scene of an accident in Central America, I have a hard time believing that is routine though.

The perceived economic hardship of taking someone's car away reminds me again that cars already are pretty a regressive entry fee to a lot of economic activity, sucking hard at gas and insurance money (esp. relative to the price of the car, when I was in college I was paying more than the value of my car every year in insurance alone, and I always had a clean record! and then there was gas...). This is not supposed to be such a car rant, we have one, we just happen to have structured our life so we don't need it that often.

I have never had a DUI and I do have a drivers licence. I just choose to cycle . I have no car BTW

I started riding because I was excedingly poor. I needed a job to get money, so i borrowed a bike from a friend and rode to work. I have driven to work since, but find i am happier at work after riding there. The exercise is good, saving gas money is nice, plus the saving the environment, if you really care(dont get me wrong, its a plus, but not at the top of the list of benefits). I would ride to and from the bar, but i am too afraid of some jackass who gets in a car leaving the pub running me over.