Introduction

Drink driving is illegal and puts lives at risk. It is not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. The way alcohol affects you depends on: 

• your weight, age, sex and metabolism (the rate your body uses energy) 
• the type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking 
• what you’ve eaten recently 
• your stress levels at the time 

So if you’re driving it’s better to have none for the road. 

The Institute of Advanced Motorists calculate that a drink drive conviction could cost up to £70,00 as a result of fines, solicitors fees, increase in the cost of car insurance, and losing a job. 

The law

There are strict alcohol limits for UK drivers. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the legal alcohol limit for drivers is: 

• 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath 
• 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood 
• 107 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine 
• In Scotland (from 5 December 2014), the legal alcohol limit for drivers is lower at: 
• 22 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath 
• 50 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood 
• 67 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine. 

The consequences 

• There are strict penalties if you are convicted of drink driving, including: 
• a minimum 12 month driving ban 
• a criminal record 
• a hefty fine 
• up to 6 months in prison 
• an endorsement on your licence for 11 years 

The maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs is life in prison, with a minimum driving ban of five years. 

In addition to these penalties are the everyday consequences of being caught drink driving which can include: 

• increase in car insurance costs 
• job loss 
• trouble getting in to countries like the USA 
• the shame of having a criminal record 
• loss of independence 

Ideas for you

If you suspect or have witnessed someone driving under the influence of drink or drugs, you can report the person to the police via the 101 non-emergency service (or anonymously to Crimestoppers< https://crimestoppers-uk.org> if you prefer). 

The information that the police require before they can act is the registration of the vehicle involved, the person’s name and if possible address and details of any regular journeys the person makes e.g. every Thursday night at approximately 23:30hrs B leaves the pub and drives the same route home. The police could then wait for the vehicle somewhere on that route and stop it. 

Things that might help

Here in Cornwall, the Police and Crime Commissioner has prioritised road safety and established a new partnership Vision Zero – A collaborative road safety community project (visionzerosouthwest.co.uk) 

Drinkaware Home | Drinkaware often run powerful campaigns and offers free resources.