Facts you may not know about drink and drug driving

When temptation is at its peak over the festive season, as family, friends and colleagues celebrate together, it’s more important than ever to look out for each other and to act responsibly and safely when driving.
 
We recently launched our drink and drug driving campaign to warn that intoxicated drivers are putting lives at risk and to remind people that information can be given anonymously to our charity about those who are known to drug and drink drive.

Drink driving

It may surprise you, but there’s no way of actually knowing how much you can drink to stay under the legal limit as it can depend on your metabolism, weight, age and the food you have eaten, along with other factors.  
 
It's also impossible to remove alcohol from your system quickly. It always takes time. If you've been drinking the night before, you may still be affected by alcohol the next day. You could lose your licence if you drive and are over the legal limit.
 
 If you have to drive, the safest option is to avoid drinking alcohol completely. 

Drug driving

Always check with your pharmacist or doctor if it’s safe to drive when taking prescription or over the counter medication. Some legal drugs will affect your ability to drive. 
 
Illegal (including recently banned nitrous oxide ‘laughing gas’) and some legal drugs can increase your risk of causing a collision when you are under the influence of them. Should you be taking medication, it’s always better to check if in any doubt about associated risks.  

Penalties

Given the loss of life and injury that can follow, if you're found to be over the drink-drive limit and or you are driving while under the influence of drugs, some of the penalties can include: 

• a criminal record
• an unlimited fine
• an automatic driving ban of at least one year (three years if you’ve been convicted twice in 10 years)
• being charged with causing death by careless driving if a driver kills someone when under the influence of drink or drugs
• life imprisonment

Give information anonymously about those who drink and drug drive


Article reference: Alcohol and drug driving | British Transport Police (btp.police.uk)