Originally Posted by JackS,Apr 10 2008, 08:27 PM

I was in the military and on a destroyer. My estimate was that about 10% or maybe a little less were alcoholic.
We spent 6mo out of a year at sea at a minimum.
Do you believe that these members of the drinking Navy could possibly go six months yearly without a drink?
The answer is no. Were any of the sailors ever caught drinking or drunk?
The answer again is no. They had their daily booze and taught themselves to drink only to the edge of drunkeness.
They act normal and seem normal and only their very closest associates actually knew the truth.
The point I'm trying to make is this- On your way home from work pick out a neighborhood bar and notice some of the cars in the parkng lot.
Do this on a daily basis and you will begin to notice a few of the same cars everyday.
The drivers of these cars are like the sailors who know exactly how to drink. They seldom have problems with the law and if they are ever involved in a crash, it's the fault of the other driver.
This might not save them from a charge of DUI but this situation is really a rarity because these simi drunks are so careful this seldom happens. These type of drinkers never pass out, never stagger or stumble or ever slur their speech. The hold 9-5 jobs without problems and often are happy family types.
The problem is the weekenders, the celebraters, the person who rarely drinks anything and then decides to have a few. These are the inexperienced amatures that are creating the carnage on the roads of America and not the experienced and thoughtful daily drinker.
We've all heard the saying "give me one for the road"
There seems to be a real and actual benefit if everyone really did have one for the road. Most people become better drivers after only one drink.
If your intent is to drink and drive then you must learn an absolute limit.
It's also very helpful to understand the tolerance of your local police department for this type of behavior. If they know you personally, they should also believe they never saw you drunk.
I personally don't drink. The consequences of a mishap coupled with the laws are just too steep nowadays to risk a drink or two on the way home from work.
I was at one time this type of drinker. I drank and drove daily for years.
even had a couple fender benders from less attentive drivers than myself. never charged with a crash Never had a DUI .
One question to the OP. What did they stop you for? If you were speeding or weaving you must understand you were acting like an amature.
Don't take my critisism as an insult. Life is live and learn.

Originally Posted by preludepatrick,Apr 10 2008, 07:59 PM

Give the guy a break. I understand the severity of the situation but people DO make mistakes. I forgot that none of you have skeletons in your closets that you're ashamed of.

Drinking and driving is NOT acceptable and nobody is asking you to have sympathy for the guy, however, people DO make mistakes. Beating him down while he's already in a bad position doesn't help anything.

I'm completely unfamiliar with the military courts, however, your best bet will always be a good lawyer.

Good luck man...these situations suck...

Originally Posted by GroovyNeilNeil,Apr 14 2008, 07:29 AM

This is spot on.

I've been able to completely avoid the law everytime I make my 70 miles trek home at 4:00 in the morning completely hammered drunk. Coincidence? Or the fact that I'm a "good drunk driver" ?

Originally Posted by mesko401,Apr 15 2008, 11:54 AM

So I've been looking at different breathalyzers and after looking at all the different technologies out there, I have found some decent devices for under $100 that performs really close to the $400 and up police models.

This may not be a bad way to see if any of your friends, including yourself should be behind the wheel, regardless of if they feel fine, etc., and could save you from a lot of headache, or something even worse for a small price.