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I had been at a social function, and had a few glasses of wine. As I was leaving, the hostess said "mindful of the RIDE program". As I walked to the car, I felt perfectly fine, but after driving a few blocks, I realized that I was not; I was feeling the effects of the alcohol more than I can remember since high school. What to do? Being arrested for DUI was something I could never imagine for myself - I'm much too conservative and sensible. I was not a hazard. I was certainly under 0.08, but was I under 0.05%, the new Ontario limit? I pulled off the next side street, and stopped. Just not driving, however, is not enough to prevent a DWI. An off-duty copy was recently convicted even though he was parked. I got out of the car, and started walking around the block, in the drizzling rain. I could have called someone to get me, but why waste hours of someone else's time? Ditto for calling a cab. I'd waste most of the morrow fetching the car. So I decided to wait it out.
I felt so stupid. Stuck in deepest, darkest Mississauga. How did I get myself into this mess? I was not paying as much attention as I normally do. I started on an empty stomach, and did not eat as much as I normally do. I resolved never to let this happen to me again - no drinks in the holiday season, and no more than one the rest of the year. After a couple of hours, I felt like myself again, and drove home. When I pulled into the drive, I felt like kissing the ground in thanks.
Pay attention. Don't you become one of this holiday season's RIDE statistics or worse.