Drinking & Driving

Sobering-up tricks do not work
Coffee and cold showers the morning after a night out don’t help you sober up. Time is the only way to get the alcohol out of your system and you could still be over the legal limit many hours after drinking.

Drink driving and the law
The legal consequences of a drink driving conviction are severe and long-lasting.

Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs = 14 years’ imprisonment, together with an unlimited fine, disqualification from driving for at least 2 years and a mandatory extended driving test.

Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink or drugs = 6 months’ imprisonment, together with a fine of up to £5,000 and disqualification from driving for at least 12 months (3 years if convicted twice in 10 years).

Being in charge of a vehicle whilst above the legal limit or unfit through drink or drugs = 3 months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to £2,500 and discretionary disqualification from driving.

Refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis = 6 months’ imprisonment, together with a fine of up to £5,000 and disqualification from driving for at least 12 months.

No drinks, no excuses

‘I had a drink, but it was at lunchtime.’
Even a small drink at lunchtime makes you sleepier and impairs your driving.

‘I feel fine to drive.’
Any amount of alcohol affects your judgement.

‘I’ve only had a couple.’
Even a single drink makes you drive less well.

‘I’ve had a meal.’
Alcohol still gets into your system and affects your driving.’

‘I can handle my drink.’
Alcohol affects everybody’s driving for the worse. It creates a feeling of overconfidence, makes judging distance and speed more difficult and slows your reactions so it takes longer to stop.

‘I’m only going down the road.’
A large proportion of all drink drive crashes occur within three miles of the start of the journey.

‘I’m driving slowly and carefully.’
Alcohol actually makes you less alert and careful, however slowly you drive.