Sunday, January 30, 2011

A funny thing I saw on the way to:

My TAXI for the day!

Ok, here's an adventure I never told you about.
One day a few months back, very late in the day my phone rings. I recognize the number as being Tony, my nephew (remember? the officer?) The first thing out of his mouth is "You wanna go drink tomorrow morning?" I'm a wee bit confused, dumbfounded and wondering what has gotten Tony on a kick to party! I asked him, with all seriousness, 'Uhmm..drink? HUH?"
After a few minutes of conversation and confusion I realized what he was talking about.
It's like this see.
Police officers in training have to learn how to determine if someone is possibly over the alcohol limit by looking for certain signs, then by those determinations they administer a breathalyzer test.


Well, just how are these trainees going to learn what to look for unless they encounter an 'over the limit' person? That's where I come in, and what the phone call was about.
In short: The Police academy conducts 'wet labs' where volunteers 'drink' a certain amount then go to the classroom and get tested by the officers in training. They are learning how to determine if someone may be over the limit. Once the officers looks at them and issue a few tests, they must give an educated guess on what they would 'blow' on the breathalyzer based on their observations.  The volunteers then 'blow' and the results are recorded, discussed and re-evaluated if needs be.
There are rules and regs and it's completely safe. For instance, you are never alone. If you have to go to the bathroom or outside to smoke you are escorted.  The officer pouring your drinks does so on a measurement basis so that each person gets the same amount of alcohol no matter the drink of choice.  You have to drink 'X' amount in 'X' amount of time. You blow 10 mins after each drink to see what your 'level' is. You are not allowed to leave the facility until you 'blow' a 000. And believe it or not, they even serve you lunch.

Believe me, I'm not much of a drinker and when I do drink it's wine. But it's even harder to start drinking wine at 9:30 in the morning, get snockered and then sober up in time to get home to cook dinner! WHEW!
I did it anyway!
The academy is very appreciative of the volunteers that do this, heck, I even got 'parting' gifts last time! LOL. We had a wonderful time and I learned a lot. I learned exactly how much I can drink before I blow over the limit and trust me it's not much. (you would be surprised!).
Now, I tell you all this so I could show you these pictures: Ready? Once we arrive at the academy and get out of the car, I'm in a parking lot full of police cars right? Walking up to the academy I just happened to notice THIS TAG:
 And then, realized it was on THIS car. I bout died laughing. Gotta love an officer with a sense of humor!!!



See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

2 comments:

Stitchesnstrokes said...

Great story! I never thought about how they did that...nice of you to volunteer, Sage! LOL So here is the difference in our province now....there is ZERO tolerance. No drinking. Now you can't have one drink and drive or you can face having your license suspended for at least 24 hours (that is NOT being over the limit, that is having ANY alcohol in your system!!!) Is that excessive? I think so. It won't change our lives because we never both drink when we are out (little as it ever is) but the taxi companies are doing better I suppose. Crazy world huh?

Sage said...

Yeah..excessive. I'm by far not an advocate of drinking and driving by ANY means(hate it, hate people that do it!), but..I would hate to go to Olive Garden for dinner and not be able to enjoy a glass of wine with it. Hmm..sure does sound a wee bit stiff on that law hon!