MovieChat Forums > The French Connection (1971) Discussion > Was driving after drinking not viewed as...

Was driving after drinking not viewed as being that much of a bad thing back then?

posted 2 years ago by PopMusicFan1927 (114)
5 replies | jump to latest

Hi folks. So I started watching this film recently and really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the fact that this movie does not shy away from making the primary protagonist a guy who is far from one's idea of being a heroic figure: this could never be done in a film made in today's world.
Among all of Popeye's controversial behavioral moments, one thing that stuck out the most was the fact that we see him get behind the wheel of a car multiple times after he has been drinking. Obviously, it is clear these days that drinking and driving is a dangerous thing to do that can harm innocent people in ways that are beyond severe.
Was this something that was not really viewed as being a danger back in the day? Or is this simply another flawed act that is on Popeye's list of other flawed actions in the film?

[–] ducksoup (3933) 2 years ago

MADD was founded in 1980. The laws were a lot more lenient back then, and social consciousness of the issue was far lower.

[–] DMT (4056) 2 years ago

it is cuz everyone was not a complete pussy back then. Its the small minority of drunk crashers that make all us boozy cruisers look bad. i take a redneck that is a 6 pack deep driving next to me anyday over some dumb bitch texting on her phone. these days the cops are so gay they will give u a dui just for sleeping in your car drunk responsibility. the government only cares about the money they can extract not safety, because cash grabs like that just encourage drunk people to get behind the wheel and make it home instead of pulling over and sleeping knowing they could wake up to a $15,000 fine. i dont drink anymore but when i did my favorite place to do it was behind the wheel of an automobile. nothing like a road beer on a desolate desert road...

[–] Kowalski (64193) 2 years ago

"RENECKS"
"BITCH"
"GAY"

WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY...YOU SEE?...THIS IS WHY WE DON'T PAY FOR THE GOOD OLD FOLKS HOME.

[–] liscarkat (17152) 2 years ago

I got my driver's license in 1970, and at that time driving after drinking was not a big deal, as long as you weren't stumbling drunk. You'd get nailed if you had an accident, or maybe a night in the tank if you were swerving all over the road, but otherwise you might just get a ticket or even a warning. Nobody worried about having one or two drinks and driving home.

[–] Kowalski (64193) 2 years ago

☝🏾BINGO.