Alcohol consumption

[HoreTore]

Responsibility here is whether you are willing to give up your keys every time you drink (And I mean EVERY time, no matter how much! Even ONE!).

Huh. Every time I see people in other countries discuss alcohol, they stress how important it is not to drink and drive. Is it a huge problem in some countries? Here, it pretty much goes without saying... And I can't seem to recall any statistic here that showed it as a huge problem either...

Not saying we're the perfect law-abiding people though of course, that would be rather silly as I've been slapped with a fine of roughly 1000USD for driving under the influence myself

To my defence, I have to add that it had been 12 hours since I stopped drinking, it was the morning after and I thought I was completely sober, and my alcohol level was 0,23, if I had waited another 20-30 minutes I would've gone clear.... The most expensive half hour of my life

[Husar]

Pfft, I have never ever given away my keys when drunk, no matter how drunk.

[KukriKhan]

Is it a huge problem in some countries?

The further west you go in the US, the more our cities are planned/built around the automobile. So that when you get to California, for example, any city over 10,000 in population virtually requires the average Joe to own and operate a car. There are precious few 'corner groceries' or neighborhood pubs, or walking-distance theaters, etc., not to mention everyone needing to commute to workplaces and schools.

So, although DWI is not an epidemic, it is much higher than it ought to be, because everyone is accustomed to hopping into their Honda to go here and there, and then return home. Giving up the keys, as DA points out, is a seemingly un-natural act in such an environment - and one therefore to be applauded as the epitome of personal responsibility and accountability.

-edit-

Pfft, I have never ever given away my keys when drunk, no matter how drunk.

In my 3 years in Germany, I never drove a car. Didn't need to. Pubs, theaters, work, everything was either within walking distance, or a short hop away on excellent public transport.

[Viking]

Huh. Every time I see people in other countries discuss alcohol, they stress how important it is not to drink and drive. Is it a huge problem in some countries? Here, it pretty much goes without saying... And I can't seem to recall any statistic here that showed it as a huge problem either...

Not saying we're the perfect law-abiding people though of course, that would be rather silly as I've been slapped with a fine of roughly 1000USD for driving under the influence myself

To my defence, I have to add that it had been 12 hours since I stopped drinking, it was the morning after and I thought I was completely sober, and my alcohol level was 0,23, if I had waited another 20-30 minutes I would've gone clear.... The most expensive half hour of my life

Hmm, which Norway do you live in? It's rather normal that people are caught DWI.