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Drink Driving

It goes without saying that you should never drink alcohol and then drive - statistics confirm just how dangerous this is. It's impossible to calculate a 'safe' level to drink and then drive, so you should always avoid drinking any alcohol if you have to drive. And don't forget, alcohol takes a long time to work its way through your system - so avoid driving the morning after a heavy and/or late drinking session.

But we are asking you to go further than this - we want you to discourage friends and family members from drink driving, and to refuse to travel with anyone who has done so.

If you are entertaining people, make sure that the driver is not offered alcohol. If you are out with friends, make sure there is a designated driver who will not drink - or offer to take on this role if no one else will. And if you are a parent, make sure your children are not drinking and driving - there is a worrying trend of increased drink-drive arrests among younger drivers.

If you know someone who regularly drinks and drives you can report them on the Crimestoppers Number 0800 555 111.

If you see someone you know to be, or about to be, drink driving you can report them to the police by dialling 999.

Alcohol is also a contributing factor to many accidents to pedestrians and cyclists.

Drink Drive Limits

35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; or
80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood; or
107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine.

In 2008, Essex Police breath tested 33,119 drivers, of these 2,018 were either confirmed positive for drink driving or refused to give a sample.

Any alcohol in your system can affect the way in which you control your vehicle, it may make you more relaxed and less reactive, it may make you feel more confident, encouraging you to drive more aggressively and take more risks. Alcohol has different effects on different people.

If you experience an accident with alcohol in your system you may always be wondering what if?

NO ALCOHOL IS THE ONLY SAFE LIMIT

Don't forget that it takes time for alcohol to make its way through your system and that it is still possible for you to be over the limit the following morning.
Coffee and fry ups may make you feel better but they don't necessarily make the alcohol exit your body quicker.