I don't think drink driving penalties are harsh enough.

[Barry_v]

i laughed pretty hard at that website Full Noise quoted from.

In the past 15 years the penalties for drink driving have increased dramatically. There is now mandatory licence loss for offenders who are over .06% for a first offence. 25 years ago it was legal to drive at 0.08%. Most first time offenders have never had any formal drink driver education. There is no requirement for any driver to be educated about drink driving before they get their licence. Repeat offenders are required to do a drink driving education course. Drivers, especially those who have had no drink driver education, have no way of knowing with any certainty what their BAC is, unless they carry expensive testing equipment with them. Victorian law makes it illegal to sell those cheap imported breath test devices which do not carry Australian Standards certification. When a first time driver tests .07% he loses his/her licence for 6 months. If it is 0.12%, it is 12 months. This driver will often lose his job when he loses his licence. The loss of a job can result in loss of income, taxes are no longer paid, dole is received, mortgages can not be paid, marriages break down and children suffer. A working man/woman is an asset to society. It does seem to be overkill to assume that the loss of a drivers licence for 6 to 12 months is required to combat the harm that may arise from drink driving at relatively low levels. After all, stopping your car on a railway level crossing carries a small fine, no mandatory licence loss and no demerit points but it is probably the most dangerous and stupid thing you can do in a car.

oh how my heart bleeds.

[Rev28K]

Originally Posted by nugget378

Loss of license wont stop the few that dont care, they will just keep driving regardless..

Harsher laws do tend to trickle down to lesser offenses.

True. My car was written off by a mechanic who didn't have a license, was well above .05. He continued to drive around afterwards <<insert swearword to describe him>>. Looking back on things it hurt me financially but it could have been so much worse.

4vman - I've asked cops to breath test me on about 6 separate occasions (cop shops & mobile units) and the've been happy enough to do it. I don't want to drive drunk & they don't want me to drive drunk. I'd feel really, really, bloody stupid if I got done for DD and I passed up a chance to check before I got behind the wheel.

[gtfpv]

let me just say this . i dont drink and drive . unless having2 beers , and then driving home 1 to 2 hours after the 2nd one is considered drink driving .
and believe me even though this is safe . ( i have always blown way under the limit in pub breatherlisers and you know when any alcohol affect is wearing off . ) i still tend not to even do this because of the being scared if anything happened , i wouldnt want to be even 0.02. i grew up in the 70,s when kids didnt wear seatbelts , and everyone drank and drove . not condoning it at all , but fatal injuries and accidents hardly ever occured and if they did , the driver wasnt trying to kill you. i do think jail is an option for drink driving if you blow high, or you injure someone . however it's not a gaurantee of something happening .
a lot of us are really really worried about having a responsible drink, when heaps of people are snorting drugs , and smoking dope daily and driving with no worries. this would see 30% of drivers off the road if they crack down on this . drink driving is wrong . and it increases the risk , but it is the most policed subject behind the wheel of a car . when people driving unlicensed commit offences time and time agian . and get off scott free.
i really think the ones who cause injury /or repeat offenders are the problem drinkers who have no consciense .
i hope this doesnt sound like i endorse drink driving . because in no way do i at all. but i think this has been addressed in law , others need to be that are overlooked .

[Wally]

Seeing as members are being so stern, why not make it 0.01% and over you're out of the game for 3 months. Personally I never drive if I have had even a mouthful of light beer.

Recidivist intoxicated or drugged drivers ill drive regardless. Those given exceedingly long disqualifications will be tempted.

Sometimes (most times) short sharp smacks are much more effective than long term punishment.

[geehaa]

Originally Posted by Wally

Sometimes (most times) short sharp smacks are much more effective.

I agree - lets beat them with sticks...

On a serious note, I have a mate who has approached RBT setups for a breath test and was knocked back, which doens't make a lot of sense for the previously mentioned arguments. Perhaps someone has used that before as some sort of defence in a matter?

Why are there not minimum penalities as opposed to maximum penalties (that never get applied)? "Rightio mate, you're busted and it's going to cost you at least this and it only goes up from here..."

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by geehaa

I agree - lets beat them with sticks...

On a serious note, I have a mate who has approached RBT setups for a breath test and was knocked back, which doens't make a lot of sense for the previously mentioned arguments. Perhaps someone has used that before as some sort of defence in a matter?

Why are there not minimum penalities as opposed to maximum penalties (that never get applied)? "Rightio mate, you're busted and it's going to cost you at least this and it only goes up from here..."

Roadside units indicate levels only. They are not used as evidence. You reach your peak BAC 90 minutes after drinking, hence why getting tested before you jump in the car is a waste of time.

At 0.4 BAC the driver is lucky to be alive.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Wally

Seeing as members are being so stern, why not make it 0.01% and over you're out of the game for 3 months. Personally I never drive if I have had even a mouthful of light beer.

Recidivist intoxicated or drugged drivers ill drive regardless. Those given exceedingly long disqualifications will be tempted.

Sometimes (most times) short sharp smacks are much more effective than long term punishment.

All that will do is get more unlicensed and therefore uninsured drivers on the roads Mein Führer.......

Get some reality here. The ONLY reason why drink driving is prohibited is that it impairs driving skills. As do some drugs, both illegal and prescribed, medical conditions and a thousand other reasons.

0.05 BAC is a guesstimate based on a lot of academic masturbation and is about as meaningful as a speed limit of 100km/h as opposed to 98km/h or 102 km/h.

It is just a number to make it easy for prosecutions, nothing else.

We the people of Australia own the roads; NOT the wowsers, NOT the academics, NOT the police and definitely not you Adolf.

This country was once the land of the free when everyone deserved and was given a fair go.

We have devolved into an almost totallitarian state where we inform on each other, restrict each other and spend most of our time minding everyone elsed business.
It is ironic to thinbk how many Australians have died or been maimed in wars against exactly the mindset you proport.

Anyone who speaks against the agenda is vilified and declared an "enemy of the state". Not happening here? Ask any HOON.
Can't happen in a democracy? Hitler, Mussolini, Idi Amin, Sadam Hussien, The Taliban, et Al were all elected.

The road toll is a complex and difficult problem and as such cannot be solved with a simple idealistic approach.

A recent example of this was when QLD implemented mandatory like for possession of more than 250g of cannibis.
Suspected result, drop is drug sales/usage.
Actual result, massive increase in violence up to police cars being shot at. (well murder will only PROBABLY get you life whereas the drugs will DEFINITELY get you life so just kill the police or witness, you have nothing to lose)

In USA, mandatory death penalty for rape caused a sudden increase in rape/murders. It dropped again when the law was changed.

Australia should never become a police state.................

[sikford]

definatly need harsher penalties for drink drivers, its almost like giving hem a slap on the wrist. i watched a guy try to convince the judge to let him off and if he could make it not a criminal charge. the judge laughed at him and called him an idiot for even sugesting he be let off. he still only copped 6 months off the rd and he was all lawyered up for the occasion which was a complete waste of money.haha

[Wally]

Originally Posted by flappist

All that will do is get more unlicensed and therefore uninsured drivers on the roads Mein Führer.......

Get some reality here. The ONLY reason why drink driving is prohibited is that it impairs driving skills. As do some drugs, both illegal and prescribed, medical conditions and a thousand other reasons.

0.05 BAC is a guesstimate based on a lot of academic masturbation and is about as meaningful as a speed limit of 100km/h as opposed to 98km/h or 102 km/h.

It is just a number to make it easy for prosecutions, nothing else.

We the people of Australia own the roads; NOT the wowsers, NOT the academics, NOT the police and definitely not you Adolf.

This country was once the land of the free when everyone deserved and was given a fair go.

We have devolved into an almost totallitarian state where we inform on each other, restrict each other and spend most of our time minding everyone elsed business.
It is ironic to thinbk how many Australians have died or been maimed in wars against exactly the mindset you proport.

Anyone who speaks against the agenda is vilified and declared an "enemy of the state". Not happening here? Ask any HOON.
Can't happen in a democracy? Hitler, Mussolini, Idi Amin, Sadam Hussien, The Taliban, et Al were all elected.

The road toll is a complex and difficult problem and as such cannot be solved with a simple idealistic approach.

A recent example of this was when QLD implemented mandatory like for possession of more than 250g of cannibis.
Suspected result, drop is drug sales/usage.
Actual result, massive increase in violence up to police cars being shot at. (well murder will only PROBABLY get you life whereas the drugs will DEFINITELY get you life so just kill the police or witness, you have nothing to lose)

In USA, mandatory death penalty for rape caused a sudden increase in rape/murders. It dropped again when the law was changed.

Australia should never become a police state.................

Mate you're barking up the wrong tree... I'm the one who gets PMs from the staunch for being too liberal. I think the authorities are far too intrusive, but I get hate mail when I post as much. Now reread my post and put your irony hat on.

[sgt_doofey]

Jail time probably wouldn't do squat apart from give them a sore corn hole.
What they should be doing is community service, helping rehabilitate victims of accidents which involve drunk/drug drivers. Make them see what becomes of the other party in that scenario. That might open their eyes more to what they could inflict next time they get behind the wheel drunk.

[SB076]

You need to be careful I purchased one of those breath testers from Autobahn, the amount of beers you can have varies widly - when I was going for my license I was told I could have 2 standard drinks in the first hour one standard drink everyhour after that - this I dont beleive to be correct (and appears to be in the process of being corrected with current advertising) If you worked a hard day, had little sleep, and little food/drink your first beer could put you at 0.05, However if you went to gym drunk plenty of fluids you could have 3 or more beers and barely register (this was on the autobahn breatho and also on the pubs breatho - mates and I would often see who would register the highest. Think the best thing is if in doubt dont drive, it also takes awhile to go from 0.07 to 0.04 (you must be under 0.05 not 0.05)

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Wally

Mate you're barking up the wrong tree... I'm the one who gets PMs from the staunch for being too liberal. I think the authorities are far too intrusive, but I get hate mail when I post as much. Now reread my post and put your irony hat on.

Ok, irony mode engaged...........my post still stands but its reference to your post has rusted off .

[bennyk351]

when i was living in nsw I also have walked to the local cop shop after a p#$$ up they also said the same thing to me,after living in Darwin for two years i dont have a prob with there laws,over .05 lock up car isued with a fine similar to a speeding fine ,lose your license for more than .08 Dont know what the current law is in NT as i moved back to the rat race in sydney before they changed the open speed limit and demerit points ,Cant wait to get back there though :sm_headba :sm_headba :sm_headba : : :

[Mk II]

Originally Posted by xr6turbo2005

instead of having RBT's catching people when they are already behind the wheel, why not go to pubs / clubs and conduct voluntary testing. Anyone caught over the limit with car keys on them (which is technically in charge of a vehicle and could be charged), they have the keys taken off them and they agree to attend a course of some sort with shows the after effects of accidents etc caused by drunk drivers.

Last Friday I attended the funeral of a mate who was killed on new years eve in a drink driving accident. After the funeral we all went to the local for a few drinks, and yes I drove there.

Seeing as i drove to the pub obviously i had my keys in my pocket, however i never intended on driving home. I left my car at the pub and got a lift with a mate who wasn't driving, does this mean i could have been done for DD?

On a seperate note it was another friend of mine that was driving the ute that Jimmy fell out of the back of on New Years. He has a life of misery to live now, he has killed one of his best mates in a stupid and reckless decision.

On top of this he has to face mid range drink driving, and more then likely more serious charges, possibly even manslaughter. Does he deserve to spend a couple of months in jail when he has his whole life to live knowing that he has not only killed his mate, but also that he has destroyed his mates girlfriends life, his mates families life and has left a huge hole in all of our lives.

He and I both know and understand that laws are laws, but he isnt a serial offender, he doesnt have a criminal record, he just made a stupid decision that has resulted in the worst possible outcome.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Mk II

Last Friday I attended the funeral of a mate who was killed on new years eve in a drink driving accident. After the funeral we all went to the local for a few drinks, and yes I drove there.

Seeing as i drove to the pub obviously i had my keys in my pocket, however i never intended on driving home. I left my car at the pub and got a lift with a mate who wasn't driving, does this mean i could have been done for DD?

On a seperate note it was another friend of mine that was driving the ute that Jimmy fell out of the back of on New Years. He has a life of misery to live now, he has killed one of his best mates in a stupid and reckless decision.

On top of this he has to face mid range drink driving, and more then likely more serious charges, possibly even manslaughter. Does he deserve to spend a couple of months in jail when he has his whole life to live knowing that he has not only killed his mate, but also that he has destroyed his mates girlfriends life, his mates families life and has left a huge hole in all of our lives.

He and I both know and understand that laws are laws, but he isnt a serial offender, he doesnt have a criminal record, he just made a stupid decision that has resulted in the worst possible outcome.

A friend got 5 years jail for killing his best friend in a speed related accident.. no drinking involved.. i think your friend might be in some strife.

[alecrain]

In some countries drink driving is considered as attempted man-slaughter, when you think about it -it makes perfect sense.

You are on public road controlling 2 tonne weapon that can easily kill innocent people- period.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by alecrain

In some countries drink driving is considered as attempted man-slaughter, when you think about it -it makes perfect sense.

You are on public road controlling 2 tonne weapon that can easily kill innocent people- period.

In some countries just drinking alcohol is a major criminal offence that is sometimes punished by stoning to death but sex with animals is quite legal.

Are those the countries you think make perfect sense?

[steve.zissou]

Originally Posted by flappist

All that will do is get more unlicensed and therefore uninsured drivers on the roads Mein Führer.......

Get some reality here. The ONLY reason why drink driving is prohibited is that it impairs driving skills. As do some drugs, both illegal and prescribed, medical conditions and a thousand other reasons.

0.05 BAC is a guesstimate based on a lot of academic masturbation and is about as meaningful as a speed limit of 100km/h as opposed to 98km/h or 102 km/h.

It is just a number to make it easy for prosecutions, nothing else.

We the people of Australia own the roads; NOT the wowsers, NOT the academics, NOT the police and definitely not you Adolf.

This country was once the land of the free when everyone deserved and was given a fair go.

We have devolved into an almost totallitarian state where we inform on each other, restrict each other and spend most of our time minding everyone elsed business.
It is ironic to thinbk how many Australians have died or been maimed in wars against exactly the mindset you proport.

Anyone who speaks against the agenda is vilified and declared an "enemy of the state". Not happening here? Ask any HOON.
Can't happen in a democracy? Hitler, Mussolini, Idi Amin, Sadam Hussien, The Taliban, et Al were all elected.

The road toll is a complex and difficult problem and as such cannot be solved with a simple idealistic approach.

A recent example of this was when QLD implemented mandatory like for possession of more than 250g of cannibis.
Suspected result, drop is drug sales/usage.
Actual result, massive increase in violence up to police cars being shot at. (well murder will only PROBABLY get you life whereas the drugs will DEFINITELY get you life so just kill the police or witness, you have nothing to lose)

In USA, mandatory death penalty for rape caused a sudden increase in rape/murders. It dropped again when the law was changed.

Australia should never become a police state.................

I agree with what you’re saying.

but is a touchy subject.

If you think about it, it’s not the alcohol level that directly causes the problems it is the effect it has on the drivers ability to react and make decisions etc. So shouldn’t the test be for that? possibly similar to the sobriety tests in some parts of the US. (just thinking out loud).
Could you compare someone that can handle their .08 level to someone that cannot handle their .05 level?
Is this a practical line of thought? not really. That’s why you are free at .04999 but busted at .05

on a side point. I think there is a static amount of wowsering that occurs constantly. now if there is a big war on or some other crisis all the wowsers and dogooders are occupied by these issues (fine with me) but when times are good, "they" (whoever they are ) have to find other causes to fight for to make the lives of everyone safer (read: boring) ie lowering the speed limits; hoon laws/ restricting pellet guns/firecrackers. Is Australia Safer? yes it is, but ........I would prefer it little less safe (with a little more personal responsibility).

Now back to the topic: I might now go home and lay bricks for 2 hours then drink 6 beers and drive up my drive way (about 1km on my property) to my house and in doing so I would be breaking the law.

Not sure where is was going with all this (guess i am not a fan of hard and fast rules)

[alecrain]

Originally Posted by flappist

In some countries just drinking alcohol is a major criminal offence that is sometimes punished by stoning to death but sex with animals is quite legal.

Are those the countries you think make perfect sense?

Are you serious?
Grow up

[flappist]

Originally Posted by alecrain

Are you serious?
Grow up

VERY serious.

Other countries are not Australia, do not have Australian cultural or societal backgrounds.

What works for them does not always work for us despite what all the academics believe.......

[Bobman]

Lead by example?

http://www.theage.com.au/national/dr...0121-7mk5.html

[NeverSayNever]

Sober I’ve always made arrangements to not drink drive and never planned on doing it. I’ve also stopped other people from doing it.

Drunk I’ve left my car in places over night, stopped other people drink driving, paid for taxies, all the rest of it. Sure a couple of times I’d have had one or two beers and driven home but any more and I’m not driving.

Recently while really drunk I attempted to drive home around the corner less than 500 meters.

I thought nothing of driving there as it was raining and I had to take some things with me for the BBQ. I knew I’d be drinking but I’d walk home and pick my car up in the morning like I had done many times before.

Anyway for some stupid reason (probably peer pressure and a stupid attempt to avoid the rain) I attempted to drive home.

Unfortunately I clipped a gutter and screwed my wheel and couldn’t move the car off the road even with the help of a couple of mates.

The police then turned up leading to me being charged for high range DUI – since although I could have walked (the now 200 meters) home “to get a tow rope” and left my mates with the car I didn’t.

Once you’ve been home you can’t be charged DUI.

Now what I did was dumb, I’ll be the first to admit that, sober I’d never do it.


What kind of penalty do I deserve?


A few thoughts:

I have an excellent driving history now my licence is suspended, yet it’s obvious the alcohol was the problem not my driving. Now I can continue to drink but I can’t drive, not even for work.

In fact now when I go out I’ll likely drink more. Yet being designated driver would be a far better punishment and better for the community.

I made the decision while very inebriated – who’s not guilty of making bad decisions when drunk?

I’d be more concerned about the people who knew they were drunk, yet still had some sense about them and drove anyway – I don’t even remember getting in my car, I still find it hard to believe I did it.

Now people are going to say things like you were X times more likely injure or kill someone. I agree, this is a fact; however being more likely to do something isn’t doing it. Courts putting weight in speculation is a dangerous thing.

Personally I think community service is the way to go, I could use my skills to help the community that I endangered.

Suspending my licence does nothing but make my and others around me lives a little difficult at times. I’m lucky, for others losing a licence could seriously screw up someone’s employment and hence their and their family’s lively hood – I don’t see that doing much good.

[GT69]

Heres an idea, maybe they should stop the 'x amount of standard drinks' ads, in favour of the 'dont drive if you'll be drinking' mindset.

[XRSIKS]

Don't know if this is off topic....

I live in canberra, am still on my P's.... all my mates have their full license , im a late bloomer in the driving scene...

Was at a mates place, they were all drinking, i had one beer , about 2 hours befor i had to go anywhere...

i got pulled up on the way home, random RBT (P plates on XR6, target) i blew a real low minimum.. like, the cop would have just brushed it off if i was on full license.

I didn't realise in canberra P platers cant have ANYTHING at all, i agreed with the police officer that it was a justified law, knowing what p platers are like in canberra...

He let me off, due to the fact that , in his words, i am 24, was honest, and i blew 0.01 :P

[svo supporter]

Call me a wowser, wa#*ker or whatever. I've always been a firm believer, that if you're going to drink, don't drive. Even if it's a single stubbie. Maybe it extends from when I was with my brother when he got cleaned up by an unlicenced pi$$head and wound up in hospital with a fractured skull, busted leg, shoulder and arm. All we were doing were riding our pushies along the side of the road. And it was the opposite side to where the drunk was surposed to be.

Those pub or autobarn alco testers aren't real accurate. Heard too many stories whereby people used them and got busted for being pi$$ed behind the wheel, even though those testers said they were fine.

Punishment. They've lost there cars for good and should attend the hospitals and families, whereby those people have been effected by idiots that have been tanked and let them dish out there punishment to them. Same goes with people that are drug drivers. Sending them to jail isn't going to solve the problem, nor taking their licences. You hear too many stories where some pi$$head has cleaned someone up and they had already lost their licence and spent time picking the soap up.

Yeah, I know I'll cop flack over my comments, but everyones entitled to there own say on this topic. And yes, I am a social drinker.

[XplosiveR6]

I have an excellent driving history now my licence is suspended, yet it’s obvious the alcohol was the problem not my driving. Now I can continue to drink but I can’t drive, not even for work.

No, the problem was your decision, lets not try to blame anything else here

In fact now when I go out I’ll likely drink more. Yet being designated driver would be a far better punishment and better for the community.

I made the decision while very inebriated – who’s not guilty of making bad decisions when drunk?

Doesnt matter how much you drink, you still know right from wrong, you just choose to ignore these feelings.

I’d be more concerned about the people who knew they were drunk, yet still had some sense about them and drove anyway – I don’t even remember getting in my car, I still find it hard to believe I did it.

Now people are going to say things like you were X times more likely injure or kill someone. I agree, this is a fact; however being more likely to do something isn’t doing it. Courts putting weight in speculation is a dangerous thing.

Soo.. you're saying we should wait untill someone has lost their lives before doing anything? Then we can all shoot guns wherever we want spaying bullets all over the place, so long as it doesnt come in contact with anyone?
You said yourself they you where incompitent of driving because of your intoxication, thats why you crashed, isnt that proof enough.

Personally I think community service is the way to go, I could use my skills to help the community that I endangered.

Suspending my licence does nothing but make my and others around me lives a little difficult at times. I’m lucky, for others losing a licence could seriously screw up someone’s employment and hence their and their family’s lively hood – I don’t see that doing much good.

A drivers licence is a privilage not a right. Why do so many people think it isnt? If you show that you cant drive within the rules, you get the privilage taken off you, simple. just as if you show that you cant live in society and obide its rules, you get that privalege taken off you too, by going to jail.

[fos408]

Never say never you have an interesting out look and i thank god you dont have a license if you can make simple decisions like that one. I think drink drivers should lose their cars and license just as the cops do with the hoons. I laugh every time the cops and pollys come on and say they are going to get tough with the drink drivers. They are tougher on somebody chirping their tyres than ****ed drivers. Trouble is a move like that would be less popular with the general public where drinking is a cultural right and driving with booze in our system is tolerated. Can you imagine the outcry if all of a sudden average joe citizens started loosing their cars for blowing .06 .Funny where the tolerance lies with the law makers in our parliments

[NeverSayNever]

No, the problem was your decision, lets not try to blame anything else here

Agreed, however clearly a decision I would have made differently sober.

Doesnt matter how much you drink, you still know right from wrong, you just choose to ignore these feelings.

Agreed to a point, however the first part of the brain affected by alcohol is the part that provides the ability make judgments and reason. I’m sure I’m not the only one to make a stupid drunken decision.

Soo.. you're saying we should wait untill someone has lost their lives before doing anything? Then we can all shoot guns wherever we want spaying bullets all over the place, so long as it doesnt come in contact with anyone?
You said yourself they you where incompitent of driving because of your intoxication, thats why you crashed, isnt that proof enough.

Not at all, I’m saying I should bear responsibility for what happened and not what could have happened.

A drivers licence is a privilage not a right. Why do so many people think it isnt? If you show that you cant drive within the rules, you get the privilage taken off you, simple. just as if you show that you cant live in society and obide its rules, you get that privalege taken off you too, by going to jail.

Sure. I’d like to think being allowed to drink alcohol is too.

I know which one makes me more dangerous.

Never say never you have an interesting out look and i thank god you dont have a license if you can make simple decisions like that one. I think drink drivers should lose their cars and license just as the cops do with the hoons. I laugh every time the cops and pollys come on and say they are going to get tough with the drink drivers. They are tougher on somebody chirping their tyres than ****ed drivers. Trouble is a move like that would be less popular with the general public where drinking is a cultural right and driving with booze in our system is tolerated. Can you imagine the outcry if all of a sudden average joe citizens started loosing their cars for blowing .06 .Funny where the tolerance lies with the law makers in our parliments

Agreed, drinking is heavily entrenched in Australia’s culture.

I think stopping people from drinking for such an incident would be a far better punishment, sure it would be hard to police but a far more fitting for someone with a good driving record.

I hardly drive anyway so taking my licence away isn’t too much of a punishment, it’s not like I’m not allowed to ride in a car.

[Buf-Phoon]

There has been a lot said about people being over the limit whilst driving away from the place of consumption. Yet the cops still have RBTs at 6-7.00am, and with good reason.

The number of motorists, whom after a big night think that they have had a greasy feed ,and a few hours kip are ok to drive.Wrong.

Beware the consequences of the night before. If you are feeling bit dusty , well you probably are.Just remember that the grog lingers in the system long after you think you're ok

[ILLaViTaR]

Some people on the road may as well be drunk.

If you're not trashed off your face then I think it's fine. Natural driving skill is a far bigger factor than drink driving. I had a massive alcohol break a few months back, got smashed and blew under .05 and was very drunk, just because I had no tolerance. It's a stupid form of measurement.
I believe I could pass an advanced driving course off my face whilst Grandpa and Grandma fail.

If it was legal I'd do it.