Would you EVER drive over the limit

[Mee]

Correct. Due to early-life trauma, going into the care system follewed by a difficult adoption process. Subsequently, deliberate self-harm, overdose, unstable emotionally, drug and alcohol abuse and 2 small children removed for adoption. She is still only just 20.

For all that we try to get her to stand on her own two feet, we are the only rock solid constant in her life, so it's difficult to be aloof to her needs.

Thank you for the supportive comments too.

I think it's hard for anyone to give a right or wrong answer, it's ok to judge from an outside perspective, but i think if it happened to anyone else they would have done the same as you mate. I don't blame you at all, at least you found out how she was etc, and surely that's all what matters?

Hope everything is ok and on the up pal!

[Jon the Hat]

No question, you go to help your daughter. Ideally you would ask for hlep from someone not over the limit, but ultimately I would do the same. You have to balance the risks.

[ADK]

I dislike the notion that it is ok to break drink driving laws because the drink driver thinks they have a valid reason.

[Captain...]

I dislike the notion that it is ok to break drink driving laws because the drink driver thinks they have a valid reason.

It is not ok, nobody has said it is ok, but it is understandable, because most people have the power of empathy and can put themselves in Parafox's shoes and realise what was more important at the time.

[Guest MattP]

Would have done exactly the same thing.

Most people tend to drink drive round here anyway mind.

[MooseBreath]

Understandable if it is your only option in a serious situation.

Even so, I'd edit the op if I was you. You've openly admitted to committing a crime there. Pretty sure you can be tracked down and charged based on a forum post like that nowadays.

[davieG]

I'm no lawyer but I doubt you can be charged let alone found guilty for thinking you're "probably over the limit" as it's not illegal to drink and drive.

Two bottles of lager and a glass of wine with no volumes or alcohol content in evidence is not much to go on either.

Well that's how I see it.

[MooseBreath]

Fair point, but still, is it worth the risk? The powers that be seem keen to take any opportunity to assert authority on the internet these days.

[Wymsey]

Some chap cut me in, as I was in the fast lane on the A46.

I sarcastically applauded him as he was on his phone as well when blocking me, and he reacted by decided to get 'side by side' with me for around 1 1/2 miles at around 90mph.

Fortunately there was a side road so just speeded off down there, with him missing it.

(Yes, I did look at my mirror.)

[fleckneymike]

Sadly I think the answer, regardless of the context is always no.

Undoubtedly the poster was placed in an unenviable position but the risks posed to both himself and other motorist through driving whilst drunk far outweigh any possible benefit. The distress his daughter felt would have been magnified had he crashed en route or heaven forbid injured or killed a fellow motorist or pedestrian. His motivation was undoubtedly sincere and with his daughter firmly in his thoughts but that does not make the decision correct.

If the context were altered with the poster admitting that he had crashed on route would we all be so understanding?

Without wishing to sound even more sanctimonious, correct decisions are not always convenient decisions.

[MooseBreath]

Sadly I think the answer, regardless of the context is always no.

What if you were camping with your son in some remote part of a national park and had been drinking when your son had some kind of accident which left him bleeding to death, and you knew that by the time you'd called an ambulance and they'd found you that he'd be dead, and the only option was for you to drive to the local hospital otherwise he would die... would it be ok in that context?

[Guest MattP]

Let's be honest with the price of Taxis these days you can't afford not to drink drive.

[Zingari]

I'm no lawyer but I doubt you can be charged let alone found guilty for thinking you're "probably over the limit" as it's not illegal to drink and drive.

Two bottles of lager and a glass of wine with no volumes or alcohol content in evidence is not much to go on either.

Well that's how I see it.

I never thought you were.

I always assumed you were the judge and jury !!

[fleckneymike]

What if you were camping with your son in some remote part of a national park and had been drinking when your son had some kind of accident which left him bleeding to death, and you knew that by the time you'd called an ambulance and they'd found you that he'd be dead, and the only option was for you to drive to the local hospital otherwise he would die... would it be ok in that context?

I believe the air ambulance would be able to rescue my son.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Personally I think that driving in a stressed out state was probably more dangerous than driving whilst over the limit (I wouldn't call 2 bottles and a glass of wine "drunk" for anyone but those with the weakest of constitutions.)

Not meaning to be nasty, and I don't know if there are other issues involved, but if your daughter fears breaking the law, how come she ended up in a fight that apparently the police blamed her for (since she was the one kept behind?) All I can say is I hope she was very, very, apologetic about putting you through this.

EDIT: read whole thread and puts a different angle on it - still hope she understands what she put you through though.

[Trav Le Bleu]

I never thought you were.

I always assumed you were the judge and jury !!

DavieG's new avatar?

[MooseBreath]

I believe the air ambulance would be able to rescue my son.

what if you had no phone or means of communicating with any emergency services?

[fleckneymike]

what if you had no phone or means of communicating with any emergency services?

And I was drunk in the middle of nowhere with a son bleeding to death? I would probably be the worst parent ever.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

As a medically retired P.C.S.O., I cannot condone what you did, as I have attended some drink drive fatalities, and they were not pretty, some being the innocent party.

I can however understand your worrying predicament, and sympathise. In your place, if I had no relation, or good neighbour to fall back on, I would have contacted my local police station to explain the whole extent problem. They would have contacted the nearest police station to where your daughter was, and got them to check the local hospital, to ascertain the extent of her injuries. Then, when I new it was safe to drive, collected her from the hospital.

Anyway, I hope all is well now.

[foxfanazer]

I wouldn't but I do get in cars where the driver has and that makes me feel bad enough

[davieG]

DavieG's new avatar?

Thanks

[AoWW]

Let's be honest with the price of Taxis these days you can't afford not to drink drive.

I'm not often speechless, but...

[Head Honcho]

Straight in the car.

[cambridgefox]

Straight in the car.

Or swerving depending on how many!

[SystonFox]

I admire your honesty first and foremost. Most on here would just blag and bullshit to seem the bigger man but you've said it how it is. A family member seemed to be in danger and you took a huge risk.

I'd like to think I wouldn't but often after a footy match I'll have two pints in the pub then drive home. I feel fine but it's probably over the legal limit. And any given Sunday I'll drive to a match at around 9am when I got in at anytime gone 3am after a skinful. There's no way I am legal to drive and I'd say 70% of other Sunday league players (who drive themselves and others) are the same.