Not sure if this needs to be confessed or not

[kar1987]

I was out with my daughter and had two glasses of wine. After leaving we went straight to the car and after a slight consideration and determining I believed it was okay to drive, I drove. I certainly can say I wasn’t drunk, we had also consumed a rather large lunch about 2 hours prior. I also gave no indication to my daughter, who is an adult (28 yrs old) that I shouldn’t be driving, and she didn’t question it. I does concern me because, in hindsight, I should have given it a little more time before I got in the car. I believe at this point this may be considered a venial sin, but I would appreciate clarity on that.

Thank you!

 

[Richard_White]

By what you gave us, I really don’t think it was a sin at all. You weren’t intoxicated and thought about it, albeit slightly, before you began to drive. And when you did drive, youbwere fine. Therefore, I think you were fine, but only you can know that.

May God bless you!

 

[Stephen_says]

Looking back on it, do you think your judgment was impaired? Do you think that you put yourself, your daughter, or other drivers at risk? If you were in the same situation today, how would you act? If you really think it’s a problem, there would be nothing wrong with confessing it.

From the Catechism: 2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.

Hope this helps!

 

[Bookcat]

For the future -give more time before you drive (or do not drink) - and to know how long - search for how long it takes alcohol to process -remembering that gender and body weight and the kind of drink are all involved. I have seen charts out there on this. Get them from a reliable source of course.

Of course we are to observe temperance in drinking alcohol -but driving yes adds to the moral question!

 

[Beryllos]

I do not think there is a sin in this situation, but I think it might have been prudent to avoid driving. Even when you feel you are sober after drinking in moderation, the alcohol slightly impairs various aspects of your driving, such as judgment, alertness, and reaction time. If your daughter had no wine, she could have driven. If she had wine also, you might try to assess which of you is fit to drive, if either.

 

[kar1987]

Thank you all for your kind re-assuring responses

A good rule of thumb, in any circumstance, is abstinence when driving could be involved. This has definitely made me more aware, prudent.

Thanks be to God!

 

[detoutcoeur]

Thank you all for your kind reassuring responses

A good rule of thumb, in any circumstance, is abstinence when driving could be involved. This has definitely made me more aware, prudent.

Thanks be to God!

Amen!

 

[Arizona_Fat_Gir]

I don’t know where you live, but in Arizona they (the police) show no tolerance for drinking and driving. They always stress to not drink if you need to drive. They don’t care whether you are legally drunk, but if you have an accident they will assume you were impaired.

Anyone caught up in this can end up in Tent City and have their license suspended.