Is there any research that shows driving drunk can help SOME people drive better than if they were sober?

Question

My friend and I recently got into a discussion regarding drunk driving. When I mean drunk driving I mean drunk in the sense of over the .08 blood alcohol limit. Not drunk to the point where you are about to pass out, things are spinning, or you are throwing up. Usually for most people this means a good buzz... My theory is that some people (and I mean some) drive better when buzzed because of the fear of getting pulled over. For example, someone who normally drives very aggressively or speeds, or simply slows down to a crawl and stop signs but does not stop (all legal violations) will drive more carefully when legally drunk because they will not want to get pulled over. Of course some people will tend to do these things more when buzzed. Thats why I make a point of saying Some people drive better when drunk. So from strictly this perspective I can see that certain "drunk" people drive better (safer) than when sober....

Answer 1

A very valid question and in some cases you would be right, but where do you draw the line. Your mind is in a state of euphoria with the alcohol and often you think you are driving very well. Yet, to the outside observer you are weaving all over the place or even crossing the central reservation.

Your mind is telling you that the things you are doing are ok. Yet you miss items like a child on a bicycle, a toddler crossing the road, a pedestrian who is close to the kerb, a cautionary signal, a red traffic light. You do not notice until it is to late.

A couple of years ago, at the Brisbane motor show, the police had a breathe testing station and alcohol set up and being run under controlled situation. You were invited to have a few drinks of whatever was available and then keep a log of your state of mind. During the drinking, you were invited to take many simple tasks and it was recorded on film. Only 1 in about 600 tested actually was proved to be a better driver when under the influence. But he was a proffessional truck driver and had been driving for over 50 years.

Most of the people tested reached the .08 mark and their reaction time had done a big dive. One girl who was in her 30's actually was considered drunk after 1 small glass of sherry and in the test she actually was considered to have killed two persons.  Her job, she was a professional driver for the Government and often carried Politicians and Ministers of the Government around.

Even two hours after the drink, and her blood was clear of alcohol reading she was still considered to be unfit to drive

All persons tested were only allowed to leave the testing area when a doctor had checked if they were fit to drive. It was done as a scientific study at the motor show and done in very controlled situation.

I believe that it was also done at the Sydney motor show and also at the Adelaide show.

Would you risk killing someone after you had a few drinks?

The law is there, obey!.

How would you feel if it was your son or daughter killed by a person over the limit?

Answer 2

Me!

When I know I'm around .1 I pay more attention to the road and other's.

And yes if I'm dancing I wont drive.

And don't for get stupid is as stupid does.

Answer 3

All research shows that at .08 judgement is impaired.

I do think that some people drive better when they've been drinking though. However in most cases someone that has a good buzz, thinks they can drive better and really can't. They take chances they usually wouldn't take and drive more agressively. It's the ones that are well above .08 that drive more cautiously. They know they are drunk and know they shouldn't be driving. They fall into that category between .08 and sh*tfaced.

Answer 4

NO ONE drives "better" drunk... even one drink will slow your reflexes. You are playing with fire if you think that when you are drunk you are "more careful". My husband's 19 year old cousin died while in a car with his friend who was just a bit buzzed.

Answer 5

Anyone who thinks they drive better drunk than they do sober is a d**n fool. They may dive more carefully, as they are on the lookout for cops, but it's a proven fact that one's reaction time, reflexes, etc. are impaired after that first drink.

Answer 6

really its impossible to drive better when drunk..... just cant do it.... doe not matter what you two think everyone knows the answer

Answer 7

Sorry, but the only people who drive better when a little drink are the people who are totally crappy, very dangerous drivers, who may, out of fear of a ticket, improve to regular crappy, dangerous drivers.  It by no means makes them any safer to be on the road.

Answer 8

Very simple "NO" and are you from earth ?????