Do You Know the Limits? Drinking and Driving
With Christmas just around the corner, many of us will be out celebrating. It's during this festive period that the temptation to have "just one drink" while visiting friends or family can be particularly strong. However, the consequences of drinking and driving are far too severe to ignore.
The Shocking Statistics
Did you know that over 200 people are killed and more than 1,100 seriously injured in drink-driving incidents every year in the UK? Tragically, it is often innocent people who bear the brunt of these accidents—pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists, and vehicle passengers. Shockingly, around 40 children are killed or seriously injured each year due to drink drivers.
Legal Limits
The legal drink-drive limits differ slightly across the UK:
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England, Wales, and Northern Ireland: 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
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Scotland: A stricter limit of 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
Every year, police conduct breath tests on over half a million drivers or riders. Alarmingly, around 12% of those tested (over 60,000 individuals) fail or refuse to take the test. The penalties are severe: a driving ban of at least 12 months, a hefty fine, and even the possibility of imprisonment.
The Impact of Alcohol on Driving
Alcohol significantly impairs judgement and reaction times. Even a small amount below the legal limit can affect your ability to drive safely. Here's how alcohol impacts driving:
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Slower reaction times.
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Increased stopping distances.
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Poor judgement of speed and distance.
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Reduced field of vision.
Understanding Alcohol Units
Alcohol enters the bloodstream quickly, but it takes a healthy liver about one hour to process just one unit of alcohol. The number of units in a drink depends on its size and alcohol strength (ABV). For example:
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A 175ml glass of wine (12% ABV) contains 2.1 units.
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A 250ml glass of wine (12% ABV) contains 3 units.
Drinkers often underestimate their alcohol consumption because measures and strengths vary widely. A "glass of wine" in a pub could be 175ml or 250ml, and at home, measures tend to be larger—the infamous "family measures." Bottles, cans, and spirits also vary in size and strength, making it difficult to gauge accurately.
The Morning After
If you've had several drinks in the evening, you might still be over the limit the next morning. On average, it takes about three hours for a pint of beer or a glass of wine to leave your system. Having five drinks on a night out could leave you over the limit well into the following day.
Our Advice
If you plan to drink, don't drive. If you know you’ll have a few drinks in the evening, plan your next morning carefully to avoid the risk of driving while over the limit.
Stay safe and make responsible choices this festive season.