When I lived in Oklahoma, it was seen as irresponsible NOT to drive yourself home. Specifically, walking home was considered madness. The local cops ticketed for 'drunk in public' with great gusto, so driving was the 'sensible grown-up' option (college town; one taxi total). It still makes my skin crawl the state some people would happily drive in.

Nobody seemed to draw any correlation with the fact we lost a student or two per month to the roads

It's very sweet that you think people who drive have insurance.

I don't know about the US but generally in the UK, your third party insurance isn't affected but your own vehicle won't be insured (so victims of your madness are covered but tough luck, you get to pay for a hew car from your own money).

The ones I know that do it are mainly middle/senior execs in oil/gas. I'm sure they do have insurance, because I'm pretty sure that in general they are, and they regard themselves to be, upstanding, law-abiding citizens. Apart from the drink driving thing

I guess that makes sense.

When we were over in Massachusetts a few years ago we went out with friends for dinner. Generally they are pretty down to earth, however. They picked us up went some where to eat, my friend and I both had a couple of large beers with dinner, we then went back to their house, and he poured us both a fairly generous measure of whisky. After which he drove my wife and I back to where we were staying, what makes this stranger was that his wife hadn't been drinking so could have driven.

I think most people in the US do not set out to drink and drive after more than a dinner glass of wine. What happens is that since we drive 'everywhere' it is done without much (necessary) thought. Doesn't make it right, but judgement tends to fade after a few.

Same around here, and if they know you drink, some will attach a stigma to you.

Where ever we've lived, it's been a problem...even more so when towns have a ordinance stopping pubs from opening up in down town areas so even if they were walkable, with bars on edges of towns, there's no way to get to them and no public transport and even a lack of taxi services.

Though now with those dodgy taxi type app services, should be some option as people seem so unwilling to car pool.

I first noticed this sat in a bar /restaurant having dinner one night and there was a couple of Americans at the bar laughing and high fiving each other and generally being noisily drunk, no big deal in itself until they followed us out of the restaurant, got into their eff off big trucks and both set off home, I was gobsmacked!! Just seems to be the norm here?!

I have my eyes out on sticks driving home on a night just watching for mad/drunk drivers ad trying to keep out of their way! Mind you they're lunatics when sober to be honest!

Don't just bitch and moan everyone - you're not powerless

If you feel that strongly - Do something about it!

MADD - Take Action

My grandmother was about 90 before she knew wine was alcoholic. Apparently my grand dad knew but never told her.

So if it was a problem why did you get in the car with them and not call a taxi?

Other than the fact I'm not convinced that there are taxi's in the area. It wasn't so much a problem, in that when looking back on it we were puzzled as to why his wife who wasn't drinking didn't drive instead. As others have said they probably didn't even think about it since there is no where they can drink within walking distance of their house.

So that justifies the drink-driving then. Now we might as well close the thread.