[Agentlien]

Sometimes ambulances are occupied and taking a taxi goes faster. Especially if it's something which isn't immediately life threatening.

I once dislocated my shoulder while on a large trampoline and was unable to get up from my hands and knees due to the intense pain whenever the trampoline wobbled. The ambulance was redirected to more serious injuries three times. I was stuck in that position waiting for two hours before it arrived.

[Aeolun]

That’s a problem with the ambulance service. Not with people being able to drive while drunk.

[Agentlien]

Yes. I was answering a comment suggesting the use of an ambulance (instead of a regular taxi). Simply pointing out that, in practice, there are times when a taxi can get you there faster.

[Aeolun]

Fair enough :)

[kungtotte]

Sure, that's true.

In that scenario it would also be appropriate to wait for a driver to sober up before driving you to the hospital if neither ambulance nor taxi were available (or delayed). One glass of wine would be out of most people's systems after two hours.

Thus poking hole in the "drunk drive someone to the hospital" argument, which is what this was all about in the first place.

[Agentlien]

I did argue, in my original comment, that drunk driving should not be an option. I certainly stand by that. My original comment also mentioned a taxi, to which you replied about ambulances.

In my previous comment I just meant that sometimes ambulances can take a good while and a taxi might not.

In the unfortunate case of the trampoline there were several sober people with driver's license and cars available and a taxi would have been there immediately.

Unfortunately,they failed to get me out of there, meaning I still had to wait until an ambulance was available. It was beyond painful and exhausting both physically and mentally. But it was still technically not an emergency.

[rwbhn]

Note that ambulance ride (depending on insurance) may cost an order or 2 of magnitude more than the taxi. Well worth it in some circumstances - but not always the best option.

[Agentlien]

This didn't spring to my mind as I'm Swedish and here it's less than a taxi and any medical costs beyond the first USD $130 per year is covered by the free health insurance.