do you live more straight?

[Weg]

I quit driving after drinking when I got my CHL. I used to drive frequently after having no more than 3 drinks, I have not done that since getting my CHL. In fact, I can honestly say getting a CHL has almost completely eliminated my social drinking. The "almost" qualifier being, drinking at a friends house when I know i'm staying the night there.

[PaJ]

So when I asked the question, I really didn't expect a certain trend that I am seeing.

1. I agree on the drinking. Even at home if I pour a glass of wine, the gun comes off first.

2. I also agree on being more tolerant of others poor driving. If they get upset with me for something, I'm far less likely to react. There was a time in my life that I was under extreme stress and would get irritated if someone cut me off. I'd think, "Don't they know what I'm going through?" Fact is they didn't. Now I assume they are under some sort of extreme stress and let them go. Plus I don't want the altercation. Ironically a road rage incident with a guy in my neighborhood (he got out of his truck and came after me) is what led me to get my CHL.

3. Here's the kicker: By in large, most people say they have some sort of "behavior or attitude modification" to be a better citizen after getting their CHL. More cautious of drinking and driving. More careful of the speed limit. More tolerant of others on the road. This totally flies in the face of the "blood in the streets" cries that are often heard against CHLs.

While this little poll is far from scientific, and I should not be surprised, it's interesting to me. In general, a CHL has been a good citizen or they wouldn't pass the background check. Even having been good, a percentage of the CHL population actually holds themselves at a higher level in all other things (as I think it should be for most people). Some may be high enough they didn't need to. I wasn't that guy, so I'm glad I am a better citizen because of my CHL.

[PaJ]

Drive the speed limit, no more pressing it. Seems I get their just about the same anyway.

If I'm going to have a beer with lunch or wine with dinner, and I'm driving, I leave it at home.

If you feel the need to leave it at home, you really shouldn't drive either.

If you are of the opinion that 1 drink = no driving, then I see your point. For me, 1 drink = no carrying. It doesn't necessarily mean I won't drive. If I've had two or more, I will let someone else drive assuming there is someone else who can.

So I'd fall more in line with leaving it at home if I'm going to have a drink with lunch. For me that is consistent.

[oohrah]

My logic - a LEO can consider you intoxicated even if you don't blow a 0.08. If the LEO makes that call, you are illegally carrying, which is why I won't test those waters. At my body weight, one beer won't even put me close to DUI.

Hence the difference.

BTW, couple years ago, the Dallas MN had an article about how law abiding CHLers were. The number one offense by CHLers was DUI. Number two was illegal carry.

[PaJ]

My logic - a LEO can consider you intoxicated even if you don't blow a 0.08. If the LEO makes that call, you are illegally carrying, which is why I won't test those waters. At my body weight, one beer won't even put me close to DUI.

Hence the difference.

BTW, couple years ago, the Dallas MN had an article about how law abiding CHLers were. The number one offense by CHLers was DUI. Number two was illegal carry.

Exactly. CHL rules don't state a BAC. Driving does of .08. Even though one drink for me is no where near 0.08, if I have a gun I'd prefer to be 0.000. If I happen to have it and end up drinking, the gun is locked in one part of the vehicle and the ammo in another.

[ScottDLS]

My logic - a LEO can consider you intoxicated even if you don't blow a 0.08. If the LEO makes that call, you are illegally carrying, which is why I won't test those waters. At my body weight, one beer won't even put me close to DUI.

Hence the difference.

BTW, couple years ago, the Dallas MN had an article about how law abiding CHLers were. The number one offense by CHLers was DUI. Number two was illegal carry.

Exactly. CHL rules don't state a BAC. Driving does of .08. Even though one drink for me is no where near 0.08, if I have a gun I'd prefer to be 0.000. If I happen to have it and end up drinking, the gun is locked in one part of the vehicle and the ammo in another.

This is incorrect. The definition for "intoxicated", which is the statutory language, is exactly the same for CHL and DWI. Also, this "it's up to the LEO" business is not true either. It's up to the prosecution at trial to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were intoxicated, and the standard is THE SAME FOR CHL and DWI. >0.08 YOU ARE. <0.08 you might not be. There is quite a large Texas trial bar out there that specializes in defending DWI. In most the cases where driver was below 0.08 they get the client off.

If you think you are intoxicated after one drink you should not drive OR carry. If you're willing to do one, you should do the other. Honestly your car is statistically a higher danger to the public than your CHL even if you are stone cold sober.

[HadEmAll]

I haven't given another driver "the finger" since 1996, the year I got my CHL.

[BigGuy]

Here's the kicker: By in large, most people say they have some sort of "behavior or attitude modification" to be a better citizen after getting their CHL. More cautious of drinking and driving. More careful of the speed limit. More tolerant of others on the road.

That's me. I recently got into a finger exchange with a trucker. It's been a long time since I've done that. And I keep thinking about how that recent exchange could have gone south real fast. We were stuck together in a traffic jam going through construction. Before the CHL, I'd have been more aggressive. As it was, we both decide to just look other places while we were stuck next to each other. (Yes, I sneaked a peek. I'm sure he did too.)
I thought I was better than that, and was surprised to find myself giving in to the anger. I'm determined that it won't happen again.