Cat Cora arrested for DUI

[mcgee]

Why oh why do people drink and drive? She certainly could've afforded a taxi.

http://www.eonline.com/news/328997/c...p-a-dui-arrest

[jmarie]

Hopefully, it was her first and last time.

[Cafe Latte]

Sadly people just don't seem to think that the amount they drink is over the limit.

[ClaraB]

This makes me so angry - in our state this past weekend, 2 children were killed by a drunk driver after he ran over their tent in a campground, and a family of 3 was killed in a head-on collision with a drunk driver going the wrong way down the interstate . This stuff will continue to happen until we as a society decide it's completely unacceptable to drink and drive.

[Canice]

Not to nit-pick, but I think that as a society we have decided it's completely unacceptable to drink and drive. (I remember hearing something just a few months ago that it was MADD that took the "humor" out of it for stand-up comedians, which was kind of interesting.) Obviously I'm no expert, but I think there is a range of reasons people do it, from sincere ignorance ("I'm fine!") to hubris ("I'm fine!") to extreme alcoholism...and who knows what else, in between.
I am sooo paranoid about it! I might have one drink, over an extended period, but that's it. When I go out at night I always take public transit or walk, and cab it home. I'm really grateful for the tremendous implications of a DUI. Today, I wouldn't drive after drinking, but that intense awareness is in large part because of law enforcement and the fact that as a society it is unacceptable. Forty years ago? I dunno.

[JenniferJJ]

Not to nit-pick, but I think that as a society we have decided it's completely unacceptable to drink and drive........Obviously I'm no expert, but I think there is a range of reasons people do it, from sincere ignorance ("I'm fine!") to hubris ("I'm fine!") to extreme alcoholism...and who knows what else, in between.


I am sooo paranoid about it! I might have one drink, over an extended period, but that's it.

I agree with Canice - our society HAS agreed this is wrong and there are several reasons why people do this.

Another ponit that I always think of is that while our society has decided it is wrong to drink and drive, it certainly has not decided it is wrong to get drunk. And when one is drunk, one cannot make appropriate decision about a lot of things, drinking being one of them. On a related note, people make a lot of other decisions while drinking that have disasterous consequences.

I am also paranoid. Instead of going through the expense of a taxi and hassle of going to get my car later, if I feel the least bit nervous that I have had too much to drink, I have sat in my car for a few hours or taken a walk.

[ClaraB]

It depends on where you live - here in ND, alcohol is everywhere. It's at birthday and graduation parties, tailgating, even on boats (drinking and boating is just as dangerous as DUI). It's acceptable for adults to buy kids beer for their parties, the justification being, "Well, at least I know where they are"... When my kids were in Parks and Rec baseball, we would find the parking lot littered with beer cans from the softball players the night before. And these are not lower economic groups doing this - these are upper-middle class professionals condoning and committing DUI. I wonder if this isn't an urban-rural issue - DUI is less acceptable in urban areas, but more condoned in suburban or rural areas where alternative transportation is less available. Or maybe it's a redneck thing....

[wallycat]

It is never smart to alter your mind (pharma or booze) and do something important ...and more so...hurt others as well as yourself.
THe message has been made loud and clear.
I know in my 20s, drinking and driving were rarely talked about and when it was, the tickets issued were for show (I had heard of people getting upwards of 10 citations but no other recourse).

Since we have all been made aware of it, it follows that we should abide by the new societal norms. But as someone pointed out, once you are "under the influence" you are not thinking rationally.

I wonder how the new breathalizer cars will impact folks.

Being from WI, where there is a liquor store and a tavern or restaurant serving booze...I do wonder if transgressions occur more where they simply can. I also wonder how much it happens and continues to happen, but only the celebs are outed.

[Anne]

A couple folks I know recently got busted for DUI in separate incidents. Each of them tried to plead out of the charge because they were 'light', only 1.5 times the legal limit. They are both in their mid-30s and should know better. Over the limit is over the limit.

We rarely go out to eat but when we do a glass or two of wine with dinner is nice. I don't think I've been in a bar in 20 years - expensive, and I prefer quiet conversation with friends over loud bar noise. When we have friends over for dinner we usually have wine and beer but the alcohol is low key. I find that large parties - retirement, birthday, beach, etc. are the most difficult times for me to keep track of consumption so we walk or have a designated driver.