Global Q&A: ‘Do you think there should be zero tolerance limit for drinking and driving?’

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Johan Classen, 56, Academic Director

Yes indeed. Because some people can take a few drinks, and still be clear in the mind and drive safely—which is true. But other people cannot take that much alcohol, and it is very dangerous for them to drink and drive. But the problem is one never knows who can take it, and who cannot take it! So to be fair to everyone, the police should apply zero tolerance to drinking and driving to safeguard the roads, to safeguard the other people who do not drink, to save their lives.

Lima, Peru

Yasmin Bernaola, 35, Secretary

Yes, there should be zero tolerance. People who drive cars should not drink alcohol. If they attend a meeting and know that they are going to drink alcohol, they must take a taxi. Recently, I saw in the news that irresponsible drivers have killed children or elderly people because they were drunk. As a suggestion, I think that people should not consume alcohol, especially young people, because it creates an addiction that is life threatening.

Mbeya, Tanzania

Neema John, 28, Fresh University Graduate

Yes, police must do something about it, because you can’t drink and drive at the same time. If you’re drunk, you can cause accidents. There’s lots of it on the roads.

Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.

Evaldas Maniusis, 26, Student

I think there is a responsibility, but zero is maybe not the number. I think you can have a glass of wine and it’s still okay. For example, wine is good for the heart, but if you use too much then it’s wrong. You can have a wine and not even realize you had a wine! The limit shouldn’t be zero, but it should be near to it—3 glasses is too much, 2 glasses may also be too much for some, but having one is fine, not more.

Aneby, Sweden

Per Svensson, 62, Welder

Yes, definitely! There should be no tolerance between drinking and driving. They are not related at all; you should not drive when you are drunk. I have an example: when I was in the military, we did a test; we checked out our blood alcohol content. When I had 0.5 I could barely sit in the car. I was very drunk when I had 0.5! In Sweden, we have a tolerance set for 0.2, but I think it should be zero. In some northern countries they even have 0.5.

Wellington, New Zealand

Eddy Monin, 32, Sommelier

There should definitely be zero tolerance. This will eliminate any chance for mistakes. At the moment, there are so many variables in terms and allowances. For example, age, sex, metabolism, etcetera. You might think you are okay to drive when you are not, whereas, with zero tolerance, there are no questions or doubts.

Puerto Montt, Chile

Oscar Oyarzun, 28, General Accountant

No, under no circumstance! We should not drink alcohol while driving a car, because people who do not drink will probably get hurt.

Maroochydore, Australia

Danna Clemson, 32, Kitchen Hand

I think it should be zero tolerance drunk driving. Because there are too many young people as well as elderly people being killed on the roads.

 Colombia

Juan Carlos Alzate, 45, Electronic Engineer

I think there should be zero tolerance for alcohol consumption for people who are driving cars. Well, it’s very difficult to determine the degree of consumption, and alteration in their behavior and in their reflexes, even when they are consuming just a minimal amount of alcohol.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

João Pedro Ciabano Esteves, 18, International Student

Yes, in this way accidents can be prevented, and as a result lives can be saved.

 Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “Do you think it was a good idea to have a European common currency?”