Good Night Out, Good Night's Sleep - 16th December 2009
Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council and the Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service are working in partnership to inform motorists of the dangers of driving the morning after a big night out - even if they are under the legal drinking limit.
As the festive season approaches, motorists are being warned to take greater care if deciding to drive. Research has shown drivers were four times more dangerous on the roads in the morning after a boozy evening.
The following messages will be prominently displayed on the back of 22 buses during the festive season (7th December through to 11th January):
- Good Night Out, Good Night’s Sleep
- Good Chance You’ll Be Over The Limit
- Nearly 1 in 5 Drink Drivers Are Caught The Morning After
Martin Freeman, Bedford Borough Council’s Road Risk Advisory Team Leader said:
“If you've been out drinking you could still be affected by alcohol the next day.
You may feel OK, but you could still be unfit to drive or still be over the legal alcohol limit.
You may feel OK, but you could still be unfit to drive or still be over the legal alcohol limit.
There is no way of knowing exactly how long it takes to sober up completely after drinking, although it’s longer than most drivers think. For example, if you finish your fourth pint of normal strength beer at 11pm, there is high chance you won’t be sober until 10am the next day, but it could be much later.
There are no quick fixes for getting rid of alcohol - a shower or cup of coffee won't make any difference, it just takes time.
The best advice I can give is always be on the safe side. That means don't drink any alcohol if you plan to drive the same evening or the following morning as you may still be over the legal limit. It could mean the difference between a Merry Christmas and a Nightmare Christmas.”
Area Commander Tony Rogers of Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue (BLFRS) said:
"Responding to road traffic incidents is a major part of our work as a fire and rescue service. Each year BLFRS has to attend road incidents caused by drivers getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence of either drink or drugs. Our crews see first hand the devastation that is caused.
"We are determined to increase awareness of the risks, and reduce the number of these incidents."
Facts
Approximately 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured on our roads each year in drink drive related crashes and nearly one-in-six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are over the legal limit. You don't have to be in a crash to be breath tested - around 100,000 drivers are convicted every year for drink driving.
The legal limit for driving in the UK is 80 milligram’s of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood and it is certainly possible that on the morning after a night out you might still be over the legal limit.
It can take up to 12 hours to be safe to drive after drinking one bottle of wine or four pints of strong lager. The rule of thumb is that each unit of alcohol takes about an hour to process, but you could still be impaired to drive for double that time.
The Law
Minimum 12 Month Driving Ban
Up to 6 months in prison
Up to £5,000 fine
An endorsement for a drink-driving offence stays on your licence for 11 years
The penalty for refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis is a maximum 6 months' imprisonment, up to £5000 fine and a driving ban of at least 12 months.
Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, a minimum 2 year driving ban and a requirement to pass an extended driving test before the offender is able to drive legally again.
For further information please contact the Road Risk Advisory Unit on: 01234 228336
