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Super Important - Drugs and Driving

Tarsarlan

Bluelighter
Joined
Jun 5, 2000
Messages
4,992
Location
Melbourne, Australia
This is a post made by De Quincey at the start of the year in response to a tragic event which lead to the death of his father.
Here is the first post in his previous thread:
hey guys this is really important so thanks for taking the time. i've got a story to tell with a moral at the end.
one summery morning earlier this year, a woman and her friend walked outside into the bright sun after a night of partying. it had been a good night, they'd had a couple of drinks and a pill each, but nothing out of the ordinary. They left the club tired after hours of dancing, and got into their car.
cruising home, the girl's friend fell asleep in the passenger seat. holding off yawns, the driver pulled onto a main road, glanced at the beach on her right and shook herself awake.
after a couple of kilometres, the driver slipped into a doze. her head dropped and the car began to drift. with driver asleep, the car drifted across 4 lanes of traffic, colliding with a group of three cyclists travelling in the opposite direction. the car kept going, crashing right onto the beach foreshore, flipping and sliding in the process.
of the three cyclists, one walked away, one was seriously injured - spending the next week in intensive care, he is still in hospital and will be for some time. the third was killed instantly.
the man killed was my father.
the man in hospital is the father of a close friend of mine, my friend is also a bluelighter. [edit 4/10 he's made a 90% recovery now].
i tell you all this story because i hope it will make a difference somehow. the story is my own dramatisation based on facts gained from the police.
i'm not in a position to make judgments on the girl for taking drugs or being a raver - having experienced the scene myself i know what goes on. all i want to say is PLEASE guys, when you go out, do it responsibly.
Don't drive when you're affected, or when you're really tired. catch a taxi, public transport or get a friend to pick you up. Or get a designated driver to stay sober - just like if you go out drinking.
taking a responsible attitude can save lives, not just people like my dad, but the life of the driver (who was not injured) who has to live with what she did. and i'm sure if the press find out (which they most likely will) at the inquest into the accident that the driver had taken ecstacy at a "rave party", the papers will scream for raver blood. nobody wants any of these things to happen, ever.
i also want to make it clear that i'm not aiming this at anyone to cast blame, but it's a warning that if you come across these sorts of choices - particularly regarding driving - you know which choice to make. and you know why to make that choice.
thanks guys.
Now just because this is a new thread (made because the other one was getting too long) it doesn't make it any less important...
For anyone who hasn't read this yet, follow the link below to the old thread and read it... All...
And for those who have read it before... Make sure you remember!
Here's the old thread: super important
DQ: If you want me to add anything else to this first post or change anything (including the title), let me know...
[ Edit: I updated the link to the old thread now that it's been archived ]
[ 08 June 2002: Message edited by: Pleonastic ]
 
thanks tars.
here are my own favourite responses from the old thread. some of them are mine cos i think they're important. others are what other people said that i think has extra value.
quite a bit to read, but still shorter than the old thread!
MikeySammy:
..and its not even to do with drugs - fatigue can have these consequences on its own - and its the scariest thing driving a car and being tired .. the other week i drove home from a night out at around 4am .. i hadnt drunk or had any drugs at all .. but i can remember the whole way home i was half asleep and my vision was blurred and even so, i was still at the wheel .. if it wasnt for the fact that the roads were completely empty, im sure i would have had a collision.
very scary shit ..
and it can be so easy to say "ahh, nah, its cool, i'll be fine driving, i've driven home in much worse a state.."
Tarsarlan:
It is something that's important to remember... Just because you can't get busted for driving under the influence of drugs other than alcohol doesn't mean that its any less dangerous.
Ducky99:
I think you have brought up a most important point and i think it should re-iterated. Most party goers scorn drink drivers but happily munch 3 pills and drive home. It is no different!
Tidygirl:
We must remember that when we take drugs, even though we are aware of the risks and choose to take these risks, we should not risk the lives of others by doing things such as driving home under the influence or half asleep. It is not fair that others should pay for our wrong doings, especially in the way that de quincey's father has.
Prometheus:
Chances are when you drive home in the morning that you're going to be fine but there's also that chance that you may fall asleep or lose concentration and have an accident. Asside from the grief the families of those injured, or worse killed, suffer do you really want the guilt that goes with taking a life.
randomblondeboy:
not to diss anyone, but i think alot of people would read this post and go 'oh shit, thats no good, i don't wanna drive anymore when i'm fucked'. you don't forget that thought, but i think when it comes down to a on the night decision, you might forget this. So, with a lote of good parties coming up (kryal,2t etc.) please think about how the fuck your getting there and back long before the party, not on the night. remember how you felt when you read this post, and really consider how much one night, and one small decision could have on yours and someone elses life...
Jakoz:
I was a shift worker for several years, much of it spent driving heavy vehicles... believe me when I say that staying up affects your reaction times SEVERELY. Even if u feel awake, you may not happen to notice that Excel pulling out, or that pedestrian whos decided to chance it and run across.
We had a bloke who rolled a 7 ton forklift at the end of a long shift, over familiar ground with a light load at low speed. He didnt feel tired, but his concentration was down. He didnt notice the slope of the ground. He was lucky - he wasnt crushed. Under normal circumstances he was an excellent driver with a spotless record.
At the end of a big night, catch a train, bus or taxi. Its no different to having a few drinks before going out for a spin.
Most times we make it... sometimes we don't.
Miss Flea:
How many people aren't even going to remember reading this post by the time they're "off their face" at the next rave?
What are the chances then, that they're going to remember it when they're scattered, coming down, tired-as-fuck, not entirely rational nor comprehensible, and wanting nothing more than to get to wherever they need to go?
Who else will remember De Quincey's story at the time when they need to be the most vigilant?
I will.
I have a bright yellow post-it note with DQ written on it. When I park at a rave, I stick it right in the middle of my windscreen so that whoever is driving me home, asks "What's DQ?"
DQ:
i would have thought the very real risks would have outweighed convenience. especially when you weigh the cost of a train or cab fare home against what most of us spend on a night out. then weigh THAT against what can happen if something goes wrong (which is not unlikely, given how fucked up some people are when they drive). i know how I'D feel if i killed someone because i acted negligently or stupidly... it'd really fuck up my life.
Convenience can get fucked, what about taking some responsibility for how you act. Driving a car isn't a fucking game, it's not a cute rolling trick, and it's not even a right. it's a fucking privilege and it stinks how some people abuse it. I don't care if you wanna take all the drugs in the world, it's your own risk. but when people start to impose their own risk-taking behaviour on others, i lose all patience. my family has been irrevocably changed, and a good man, who was well respected in his community, has lost what was a happy and productive life, because some unthinking convenience-seeker decided to drive home from a rave.
As i said, convenience is NOT a fucking excuse.
DQ:
i make the point that this is now a pretty big mess, not so much for me, because all *my* outcomes are basically set. i know how my life has been affected, and i'm free to move on.
but the girl who caused the accident *doesn't know what's going to happen to her*. Will she get sent to jail? for how long? will she cop a massive fine? will she get her arse sued off? Has she needed therapy to help her comes to terms with what she's done? Imagine living for more than 6 months without knowing whether your life is going to be affected in a major way, because of your own stupid acts?
i just don't think it's worth it. but you all knew that already.
DQ:
i know people still drive home after having drugs. you're all smart enough to know what i think of that.
but some of you guys even drive when you're still chopped! what the fuck? an anonymous BLer said to me recently, "I don't drive while i'm peaking..." as if driving when you're half-trolleyed is somehow ok! No, it's not OK!!!
driving through traffic is hard, requires concentration... anyone thinking they can achieve adequate concentration when half chopped is DELUSIONAL!!!
fuck people, all the bluelighters i've met are smart people... you test your pills and do your research, because it makes taking drugs slightly safer. you go to these lengths because you value your safety. so i'm bereft as to why you'd commit such a major risk as driving on drugs!? in the last week i've read about people driving on DXM, spoken to people who've been driving while stoned/pilled/speeding/fuck knows what else, and it really makes me wonder whether you people are serious about preventing stupid accidents and deaths, or are you just here so you can find new ways to get fucked up? come on bluelighters, what the hell are you guys here for? are you serious or are you just a bunch of shit-talking, self-serving, hedonistic hypocrites?
how many times do i have to say it, use your fucking brains. spend $5 each less on drugs, and share a cab home after a party.
Miss Flea:
A thread titled: Driving On Drugs
that asks "What's the worst drug to drive on???" http://www2.bluelight.ru/ubb/Forum19/HTML/009534.html
I've had enough of this bullshit. It just goes to show the lack of MATURITY that some people have.
I feel helpless and saddened by the complacent attitudes that I see all around Bluelight.
Bluelight has really gone to the dogs. It doesn't seem to be about harm minimisation anymore. It seems to be more about finding tips & tricks from around the world get higher, make it last longer and put your own health and other people's safety at risk.
Not to mention your own LIFE and the LIVES of the people around you.
I've had enough of hearing about the "most mashed you've ever been". That's not why I joined Bluelight.
After reading threads like "Driving On Drugs", I feel ashamed to call myself a Bluelighter. I don't need the status, I just want to reduce the possibility of people getting hurt from using drugs!
so there you have it.
DQ
PS on a side note - what a small world. a certain bluelighter emailed me today. she saw the accident happen.
[This message has been edited by De Quincey (edited 14 October 2001).]
 
((bump))
Guilt's my least favourite feeling in the world I think. I can't imagine that other people like it much either... It kind of nags at me, and makes me feel sick & dirty. It's not a nice feeling, but at least it helps me live in accordance to a moral standard that I respect. When I think something's wrong, I don't do it; I don’t drive on drugs.
[edit]
I’ve been meaning to edit this for a while, because the above sounds a bit like a TAC ad…. but I guess that's kind of the point. It also sounds like I put myself on a bit of a moralistic podium... which is totally not what I was aiming for... so I just wanted to emphasise that I wasn't implying that I’m special and can magically avoid guilt because I’m a saint. Of course I do stuff that I think (either in retrospect or at the time) is wrong - I just hate doing it, and so try not to – as I'm sure everyone does.
Anyway I guess I was just hoping that you guys might share the same sort of feelings of deep-seated hollow sickness in your stomach, and overwhelming sense of self-disrespect that characterise guilt for me...?? And that you DO actually think that it's wrong to drive while fucked, or the next morning... (I know a lot of you do)... and that you also acknowledge that it IS an issue that you have control over. I was just trying to make the link between your choice to drive after (or while) on drugs, and the consequence of guilt.
Every action has a reaction, and the only difference between two situations may be the consequence. The same choice and the same action don’t always bring about the same result. I just don’t think anyone should have to become aware of the significance of their choice AFTER something goes wrong.
You might choose to drive home from the same club, to the same house, on the same streets every Friday night; but this doesn’t mean that you’ll always get home.
It’s also a very big call when it’s not just your own life you're playing with.… and I think people struggle to put that into perspective at the time. In all seriousness, who do you think has the right to take your life? Because I don’t think that any of you have the right to take my life... especially if it’s a result of you choosing to drive while in an unfit state.
I just think that guilt is the worst punishment imaginable – and if something bad did happen, your guilt would be eternally flamed by the knowledge that you could've chosen to prevent it.
So yeah, rant, rant... ... but it’s so obvious that this issue is based on the "it won't happen to me" notion. Open your eyes & take a look around. When you see the walking proof that it does happen, then the issue becomes real.
[/edit]
[This message has been edited by *Princess_Fifi* (edited 21 October 2001).]
 
well at least when i bump this, i'm not bumping my own thread anymore
smile.gif
 
ok i admit to having driving under the unfluence
call me a dickhead or whatever
but
since reading De Quincey's original post i haven't done it since nad don't intend to.
De Quincey thanks for sharing this story with me
u may have even saved a life from writing this thread
smile.gif
 
Prom, DQ Major Props. You have changed my way about conducting myself in terms of automotive transportation forever.
 
I'm interested to know, how many of you guys drive scat ??
I do, when necessary.. i'd prefer to not do it and be my usual lazy self... but sometime sits required.
I do it knowing its dangerous, thankfully its early morning usually and traffic is kept to a minimum, but i often find myself not taking notice of things...
One of which the speedo, i'm always driving faster than i think.. i feel like i'm creeping along, when infact i'm going 65/70
Red Lights? I've skipped one or two, on basis that i didnt notice it, until i was nearly past the lights.
Othertimes, i've gone, shit... red light.... *message to foot: stomp brakes* .... *feet: duh... ok sure...*
meh, just my thoughts on it.. wondering who else does it and im sure a lot of you do? and just wondering if your phased / concerned about it ??
 
^^^^
Are you serious? Did you read the first post - please take the time to read it, this actually happened.
The purpose of this thread was to educate people about the dangers of driving under the influence and the irony is, you have stated in your post several things which obviously impair your driving skills; these are the very reasons you should not be driving after a night out.
There is no necessity for driving under the influence, take the time to plan ahead before you go out. For god's sake, people think nothing of paying huge amounts of money for drugs, events, water and everything else but paying for a cab seems out of the realm of reality!!!
Please don't drive under the influence of anything, be it alcohol or drugs - it is not worth it. Even if you don't care about yourself; someone else, an innocent person, someone's father, someone's sister, someone's mum or someone's child could die or be seriously injured through your actions.
Go on, read the first post.
 
I dunno flea'... but I think a lot of this thread is based on the notion of driving when you don't feel fit, as much as it is based on the concept of driving while affected by drugs. If drugs didn't affect your driving, then there wouldn't be a problem... if tiredness didn't affect your driving, then there wouldn't be a problem. But they do, and so there is a problem. I think that being scat just merges into the category of being 'unfit to drive'... and although I'm sure there are people who don't drive on drugs, but do drive while scat... personally I don’t think it’s a good idea, and also think it’s a pretty fine line between the two. The point of being in a fit state when you drive is so you don't endanger yourself or anyone else; if being scat is going to do this, then I think (hope) most people agree that it's a bad idea. Sure, you may be *less likely* to endanger yourself or anyone else, and so it might be *better* than driving while affected by the drugs themselves... but then it comes down to your personal choice of whether you think *better, but still not good* is good enough?
I'm not having a go at you, because I know you're not saying it's a good idea... but I am saying that I think it’s something to avoid. I know I try get around it in all possible scenarios... even if it means leaving my car at someone's house so my mum has to pick me up... (hehehe... scat chats with mummy in the car.... errr... what?.. yeah it was good... was what good?... yeah, that’s what I meant... what?... nah, I’m just tired
smile.gif

I can see that you’re posing a question for people to respond to – but you’ve just gotta understand that a lot of people are very passionate about this issue, and this thread in particular. I’m sure you understand. The general opinion here: just don’t do it; no excuses. The notion that ‘it’s required’ isn’t one that goes down very well... because when you actually think about it, it’s probably not required, just more convenient... and when you put that into perspective of someone’s life... then the ‘requirement’ really becomes quite inconsequential.
Not a flame dude, just a healthy reminder
smile.gif

... and cheers **Jazz**, so true... ^^^ that's exactly the point; it does happen.
[This message has been edited by *Princess_Fifi* (edited 21 October 2001).]
 
yeah it happens, and NO you shouldn't drive scat... particularly if you're having the kind of troubles Flea described above. hmm... i woulda thought that was painfully obvious!
guys i really can't emphasise this enough... DON'T DRIVE IF YOU'RE NOT FIT TO DO IT SAFELY!!!
DQ.
PS nice one **Jazz**
smile.gif
 
Wonder how much trouble i'll get by posting this one?
Should take a poll, of how many people actually drive while scat, so many people do it, just look at the amounts used parking spaces at venues and the surrounding areas.
Hell, some clubs even have parking stations?
I'm not saying, that it's right. I'm just saying it happens, I personally will never drive blatantly under the influence of any form of drugs or alcohol...
Driving scat, is kinda comparable to(comparable... not the same) the stage of drink driving, where you are technically over the limit, but you are capable of getting your car from point A > B safely.
The amounts of red lights ive gone through compared to the amoutns of red lights i've stopped for, is uncomparable, and given that im almost positive I would notice a car on the road.
When talking about slow messages to feet, lazyness... i always stop before the light, it just means its more of a sudden stop, than a controlled gradual slowdown.
While i feel im going slower than i actually am going... i do notice the speedo, and continue to drive at that "" slow "" speed.
Basically, I wanted to say that I never drive unless i feel I am capable to do so... eg: if i'm peaking or even still rolling, i will not drive, if i'm speeding, i wont drive, if i'm tripping... i DEFINATLY wont drive, and shit.. if i feel i'm going to be falling asleep on the ride home, i definatly wont drive.
I'm a lazy fuck, who would bum a ride over driving anytime, though im also a poor sod who cannot afford cabs to and from events all the time, and i absolutely loathe public transport, especially when your sketch. Then saying that.. the amount of times i've driven to events, compared to the times i haven't, isn't comparable either...
who else will admit they drive places scat, if you do a search for scat/comedown/recovery, i'll be you notice a lot of cars are involved...
 
Hey guys I have been learning to ride my motorcycles and accident avoidance for motorcycles is a really big thing. Here are some scary facts about driving this is under perfect conditions on a perfect road, which just does not happen, and with the driver with peak reaction times.
It takes the average pingoo driver 4 seconds to realise there is a problem and it take another 2 seconds for the average driver to react, and then at 60km per hour it take 16 meters to brake the vehicle. Lets do the maths now kids, for 4 seconds it is 66.6 meters for a driver to actually detect there is a problem there is going to be another 2 seconds from when the driver actually realises there is a problem and when he actually reacts that is another 33.3 meters, then add the 16 meters for the car to come to a complete stop. Lets do the maths again. 66.6 + 33.3 + 16 = 115 meters. That is quite a long way isn't it, that is the length of a football field. You say bullshit I can stop faster than that, just to remind you this has been tested under perfect road conditions, and the reaction times have been the average of well rested people, not people who have been out all night and are tired or under the influence of alchol or illicit substances.
I really hope you think twice about driving tired, and I hope that scares the shit out of you because it makes me think twice about getting on my bike tired.
Kind regards
and happy mushroom picking
Roams
 
Anyone going to Earthcore will see a practical demonstration of how to properly conduct yourself in a motoring sense post an event. Like most people I will be driving to Earthore but means I need to take some reponsibility in driving home.
How is this achieved well I show you on the day. But basicially it involves bringing a tent, ear plugs, a warm doona can help, and about 6-8 hours of spare time.
You'll be surprised how simple it is.
------------------
Dancing, the eternal quest to mash my ankles into dust.
[This message has been edited by Airwalk (edited 22 October 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Airwalk (edited 22 October 2001).]
 
Flea, some comments on your last post, which i just have to respond to:
"I'm not saying, that it's right. I'm just saying it happens": i'm not denying that it happens and that people drive home scat. obviously if it didn't happen then there wouldn't be a problem. but yes, lots of people do it, and that's where the problem is! the purpose of this thread is to make people THINK and therefore not drive scat. And it really just comes back to the old story, just because everyone's doing it, doesn't make it alright.
"though im also a poor sod who cannot afford cabs to and from events all the time": ummm... how much would you spend on the average night out? here's an estimate: $15-$60 for ticket to event, $35-$80 for one or two pills (if you're taking pills), $5-$20 for water, other drinks, glowsticks, smokes and everything else. now i would consider this an average night for a lot of people, and it's costing between $60 and $150. this will vary, obviously big events are more expensive that regular nights out. but in any case, the cost of sharing a taxi with a couple of mates, assuming you live in the suburbs, would be no more than about $30. That's less than $10 each. That's not a particularly significant amount compared to the money you're quite willing to spend on everything else.
if you can't afford $10 to avoid an accident, then you're a) making excuses, b) spending outside your means, c) spending too much money on drugs. i see it as a refusal to put yourself out slightly for the safety of yourself and others on the road. yeah, i think it's just selfish.
seriously, put aside $10 as taxi money at the start of the night. if drunk bastards going to the pub can manage it, then i see no reason why an intelligent bluelighter can't do it.
 
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