Fish in a Barrel

Less than three months ago, I was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). It was my first (and I’m going to say will be the only) time that I’ve been arrested for DUI. I’ve been wanting to document my experiences and thoughts about dealing with the DUI. It’s something I never thought I would get arrested for before that night, and then suddenly everything changed.

How about shooting fish in a keg? Photo Credit: Mildred’s House of Signage

I’m currently in an AB 541 program, which is a 30-hour alcohol education class that first-time offenders are required to take in California. The class instructor likes to ask all newcomers how they got their DUI, what their blood alcohol content (BAC) was when they were arrested, and then, “Was it an isolated incident or bound to happen?”

Many people, including myself, feel like the answer to that question isn’t an either-or. I feel like it’s an isolated incident because I don’t believe I have a drinking problem. (I haven’t had any alcohol since that night and don’t miss it.) The intake questions for the AB 541 program indicated that I’m low-risk for problem drinking or alcoholism. However, the program also makes it clear that you don’t have to be an alcoholic to get a DUI and having a DUI doesn’t necessarily mean you have a drinking problem.

So, was it bound to happen? I live in Los Angeles, where there are approximately 8 million cars registered in the county. (I learned this tidbit from riding the bus.) And yes, I have had a beer or two before and got in my car and drove home just fine. If I had to guess, I’ve done that dozens of times over a 10-year period and always got home without incident. Even the night that I was arrested, arguably, nothing bad happened. “In LA,” my instructor says, “the cops busting you for a DUI is like shooting fish in a barrel. LA is built for DUIs.”

“You throw a rock in LA, someone’s going to get a DUI. It might as well be you.”