Drinking and Driving

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As you read the following information about drink driving and start to really think about the facts, you'll begin to realise why the consequences drink driving is a sobering thought !

Drink driving is a sad fact of life in today's society. As well as the emotional and human costs of drink driving there are also major implications for all motorists who drink and drive, even if they do not injure or kill anyone.

The Consequences

Drivers who risk having a drink and then get behind the steering wheel could pay for it for the rest of their lives.

If a driver is convicted of drink driving:

• They will have a criminal record.
• They won't be allowed to drive for at least a year.
• They could lose their job.
• Their insurance costs will rocket.
• Their lifestyle could change dramatically.

But even worse, drink drivers could end up killing or maiming someone else. Could you live with that on your conscience for the rest of your life?

The Legal Limit

The current legal limit is: 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood; 107 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine.

What if you are convicted of...

Causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs. The maximum penalty is 10 years imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a ban for at least 2 years.

Driving or attempting to drive whilst above the legal limit or unfit through drink. The maximum penalty is 6 months imprisonment plus a fine of £5000 and a ban for at least 12 months (3 years if you've been convicted twice in 10 years).

In charge of a vehicle whilst above the legal limit or unfit through drink. The maximum penalty is 3 months imprisonment plus a fine of £2500 and a ban.

Refusing to provide a specimen. The maximum penalty is 6 months imprisonment plus a fine of £5000 and a ban for at least 12 months.

You can't calculate your alcohol limit - so don't try

This is the Lion SL 400 breath test device. You never want to see one of these if you are driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. Your life will change in so many ways if you are found guilty of a drink drive offence.

There is no fail-safe guide as to how much you can drink and stay under the limit. The amount and type of alcoholic drink and your weight, sex, age and metabolism will all play their part.

The quantity of alcohol in a half-pint of beer is approximately the same as in a pub measure of port/sherry or a small glass of wine. But:

• many beers and wines are stronger than average.
• drinks poured at home are usually more generous than pub measures.
• cocktails and alcopops are very strong; their high alcoholic content is masked by the taste of fruit juice.

Any amount of alcohol will affect your judgement, starting with your judgement about whether you should have another drink !

At twice the current legal limit you are at least 50 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision

Just think about that. Only twice the limit and yet fifty times more likely to kill someone

If you are convicted of drink driving...

• you'll have a criminal record.
• you will be banned from driving for a least a year.
• you could lose your job.
• your lifestyle may change dramatically.
• your insurance costs will rocket.
• you'll have trouble hiring a car for the next 10 years.

It will be worse if you kill someone...

Just to point out the penalties again and perhaps make you think twice:

You could also become a 'high risk offender'...

• if you refuse to provide a specimen.
• if you are convicted at 2.5 times the limit.
• if you are convicted twice in 10 years, in which case you will be banned from driving for a minimum of three years.

Then you would have to satisfy an approved doctor that you do not have a drink problem before you got your licence back and you'd have to pay for the medical

Oh, and don't forget, to get your licence back you have to take the extended test

Drinking and driving is just not worth it.

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