Anonymous90
Member
So, after what feels like an incredibly agonizing and difficult 9 months, I am back on the road. My license valid as of Thursday of last week, my new vehicle was dropped off on Friday and went for my first drive that evening.
For all those who have been through the shame of being arrested and spending a night in jail, the subsequent court case, the painful discussions with family and friends, and then the ban, how does it feel to finally gain some freedom again? Has it changed your views of drink driving at all? Has it changed your views of driving in general? I'd love to hear what others have to say about this.
For the last 9 months, I was convinced that once I got my license back. I would want to take my new car for the longest drive ever. I joked about taking my girlfriend to Cornwall. What surprises me now is actually I don't. Sure I've driven to work today which felt nice and I went for a supermarket run this weekend, but I've become so used to the various alternative means of transport that I don't feel 100% dependent on my car now. I went to a gig Saturday, and in the past, I might have driven and had 3 pints (or after some stupid mental gymnastics and food, even 4). I took a taxi there and back, and sure, it cost a bit more..... but I drank more, which resulted in me having a lot more fun (seeing as the music wasn't to my taste) and the whole experience was entirely guilt free. No car, no drink driving, no worry.
To me this further proves that there was no need for me to drink drive in the first place. How stupid was I? Purely my own ignorance. There were taxis I could have used that night. Trains I could have used if I'd been willing to leave the pub less than half an hour earlier. Furthermore, I could have taken the car out of the equation altogether by not driving in the first place.... just like Saturday. I'm amazed that it took such a terrible mistake to open my eyes in that regard.
I'm gutted that I will have 'drink driver' associated me..... probably for the rest of my life. However, I am so grateful that nobody was hurt in the accident I caused (other than my pride). Things could have been very different and yeah, I'm still remorseful for what I did. I wish I could rewind the clock and do things differently. I think I'll always feel dark inside when I drive past that corner.
However, I'm through the hardest part...... now I'm at the easiest part, not doing it again..... I've not drunk driven in 9 months and 4 days and still been to gigs, football, the pub, work dos etc.... just shows I didn't need to do it in the first place.
For all those who have been through the shame of being arrested and spending a night in jail, the subsequent court case, the painful discussions with family and friends, and then the ban, how does it feel to finally gain some freedom again? Has it changed your views of drink driving at all? Has it changed your views of driving in general? I'd love to hear what others have to say about this.
For the last 9 months, I was convinced that once I got my license back. I would want to take my new car for the longest drive ever. I joked about taking my girlfriend to Cornwall. What surprises me now is actually I don't. Sure I've driven to work today which felt nice and I went for a supermarket run this weekend, but I've become so used to the various alternative means of transport that I don't feel 100% dependent on my car now. I went to a gig Saturday, and in the past, I might have driven and had 3 pints (or after some stupid mental gymnastics and food, even 4). I took a taxi there and back, and sure, it cost a bit more..... but I drank more, which resulted in me having a lot more fun (seeing as the music wasn't to my taste) and the whole experience was entirely guilt free. No car, no drink driving, no worry.
To me this further proves that there was no need for me to drink drive in the first place. How stupid was I? Purely my own ignorance. There were taxis I could have used that night. Trains I could have used if I'd been willing to leave the pub less than half an hour earlier. Furthermore, I could have taken the car out of the equation altogether by not driving in the first place.... just like Saturday. I'm amazed that it took such a terrible mistake to open my eyes in that regard.
I'm gutted that I will have 'drink driver' associated me..... probably for the rest of my life. However, I am so grateful that nobody was hurt in the accident I caused (other than my pride). Things could have been very different and yeah, I'm still remorseful for what I did. I wish I could rewind the clock and do things differently. I think I'll always feel dark inside when I drive past that corner.
However, I'm through the hardest part...... now I'm at the easiest part, not doing it again..... I've not drunk driven in 9 months and 4 days and still been to gigs, football, the pub, work dos etc.... just shows I didn't need to do it in the first place.
