October 1, 2008

We've all been there, waking up after a night out, fully clothed on someone else’s floor.  As you shamble back to the car you can't help but worry if you may still be over the drink drive limit, well in those circumstances you almost certainly will be.  Given that almost 1 in 5 drink driving convictions happen the morning after, there may well be times when you don't feel that you drank that much last night but it would be nice to be on the safe side. 

While it you may hope that the smell of stale kebab will camouflage the smell of booze on your breath, there are devices widely available to you to know for certain whether you’re able to drive.

Some inconvenient truths about drink driving:-

Nearly 1 in 5 convicted drink-drivers are caught the morning after drinking.

51% of people are estimated to drive the morning after a moderate night out completely unaware they are still over the legal drink drive limit.

90% of people surveyed were unaware that a 250ml glass of wine (13% ABV) and a pint of premium strength lager (5%ABV), is 2.8 units of alcohol. Urgent action is needed in labelling of alcoholic content of popular drinks.

An endorsement for drink driving offence remains on a driving licence for 11 years, so it is 11 years before a convicted driver will have a “clean” licence again.

Without a breathalyser you can never be completely sure that you are safe to drive in the morning, unless you didn’t drink the night before.

There are several self testing devices on the market so if you enjoy an evening pint, or cheeky bottle of wine, and you drive in the morning you almost certainly will benefit from getting hold of one. 

Even if you pay £100 it is much cheaper than a conviction and fine.

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