h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/06/11/alcohol.abuse.reut/index.html

This is a confusing report!
Abuse is going up but not alcoholism.
So *practicing alcoholic* is just practicing?
The figures are consistent with the teen reports too.

My last appointmnet at the Dr I was once again told I could always drink a little

I came from a family of 11 sibs and 9 have had alcohol problems at some time. I cannot believe I get this advise without any questions or warnings. They know I am a moderate person but still.... I find it disturbing even though I know there are some health benefits to alcohol.

I also know of all the advice about not taking medications and alcohol together.

Weird when you get to the point one of the more consistent things Dr says is get a walker and have a drink! No wonder they do not want me motorized too! I wonder if anybody has gotten a ticket for operating a wheelchair or motorized scooter under the influence?

It has happened on horses and bikes here but not heard of a wheelchair citation before. Has anybody else?

Hi Abbi...

I have heard of people getting in trouble for operating motorised wheelchairs while under the influence; I wish I could remember the details, or where to find the details for that matter, but I've a feeling there was a case in Queensland not so long ago. At least I think it was Queensland. When something odd happens here, it usually is in Queensland...

*wonders if Helelou is anywhere around here - waves to Helelou, just in case*

Off track slightly - in South Australia, wheelchairs are not permitted to travel faster than 10 kilometres an hour on footpaths. There's no clear statement on how fast they can go on the open road, though, which gives people like me all sorts of strange mental pictures.

Oh thanks Ivan.
Maybe somebody will know of a story link
I thought I had heard of such a thing somewhere.

You have made me curious about Queensland!

This isn't the Queensland case, but...

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_443536.html?menu=news.quirkies

The thing about Queensland is that they're all a bit mad. It's the tropical heat. But seriously, every country has a part of itself that is routinely the butt of jokes; in the UK, the English tease the Welsh, and here the rest of us think Queenslanders are a bit odd.

That guy was fine and using his Dads motorized chair!
I had not thought of that twist a lazy person choosing it for a ride.....
No wonder they need speed limits for them and maybe a breathalizer.

Thanks for the laugh!

You should have seen MK2 when she first drove her electric scooter Poor pedestrians didnt stand a chance!!
and that was without
Smudger,

There was something here in NZ recently, about the Nelson City Council getting upset about old people in mobility scooters, but they weren't intoxicated, just speeding! Also, I do remember (vaguely) hearing about the incident you mentioned in Queensland. (It was Queensland, I recall, Ivan).

It *had* to be Queensland...

*dreams of powered wheelchair*



zdt

You and me both.
I so want to do something speedy!
I want to make a breeze on my own again