DRINK & DRIVE

[Tone Arranger]

Does anyone know exactly what the drink / drive rules are in the U.S ie Is it the same as UK, or more / less ?
Thanks
Tony

[Clare R]

Basically don't drink and drive but the following may be useful to you:-

http://dui.findlaw.com/dui/state-dui-law/florida-dui-law.html

[blott]

The blood alcohol limit is far less in the US and they get pretty serious about DUI (driving under the influence).

It's far, far safer for you and everyone else on the road to not drink and drive. Then there are no worries about whether you are or aren't over the limit.

Alternatively, you could take a taxi and not have to worry at all.

[orlandodaze]

Thats the great thing about a villa , you can have a barbeque by the pool and enjoy a nice bottle of wine without deciding who is going to drive .[msnsmile]

[ellie]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
The blood alcohol limit is far less in the US and they get pretty serious about DUI (driving under the influence).

It's far, far safer for you and everyone else on the road to not drink and drive. Then there are no worries about whether you are or aren't over the limit.

Alternatively, you could take a taxi and not have to worry at all.
[/quote]

Or do what you have to do in the UK, take it in turns for someone not to drink who can then drive.

[Jill]

I thought the following might be of use to clarify the situation from the Florida Department of Transportation site and clearly states the limits. However, it is still best to not drink and drive or to drink and get someone else who has not been drinking to drive.

The reason for those under 21 being allowed a limit of 0.02 even though they are not allowed to drink is because the body can produce alcohol naturally and so technically someone might not ever had a drink but will have alcohol in their body

Alcohol

Alcohol-impaired drivers and pedestrians are among Florida's leading contributing factors to traffic deaths. In the five year period of 1996-2000, there were 4,647 alcohol related traffic fatalities. This amounted to slightly more than 32% of all traffic fatalities.

Florida has adopted a 0.08 per se limit. A breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or higher is prima facie evidence that a driver was under the influence of alcohol to the extent that his normal faculties were impaired. A person convicted of a first DUI offense must pay a fine of at least $250, attend DUI school, serve up to 12 months probation, and perform community service. The offender may also be sentenced to serve up to six months in jail.

It is illegal in Florida for a driver under age 21 to have a breath-alcohol or blood-alcohol level of 0.02 or higher. Young drivers found to have illegal breath-alcohol levels will have their drivers licenses administratively suspended for a minimum period of six months.

[Elaine62]

The limit in the US is identical to teh UK

Elaine

[becbecs]

My advise is just don't drink and drive as if you did get stopped it would probably ruin your Florida Holiday.