Information
Alcohol
Within Thames Valley an average of 16 people each day are arrested for drink driving. Drink driving is not just an offence that happens around Christmas and New Year, it is happening all through the year.
What are the limits?
In technical terms the current legal limits are: 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood; 107 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine.
Each alcoholic drink is measured in units of 10 milligrams of alcohol. Drinks are allocated a unit measurement depending on their alcoholic content. The level at which alcohol reaches your bloodstream is dependant on many factors such as, the type and amount of drink, age, metabolic rate and weight.
In simply far too difficult to tell how much alcohol will take you over the limit. Its much better to lay off the drink completely if you do have to drive. You can still have a great night out without alcohol – You can even avoid the dreaded hangover the day after! If you do want to drink please consider the alternatives:
Use a taxi – or even better share one!
Use public transport – you’ll even be doing your bit to help the environment!
Arrange for someone who is not drinking to drive.
Consequences
This advert from Think! makes it pretty clear, but there are other consquences so read on:
Think before you drink!
If you are convicted for drink drive offence you will:
- Lose your licence for a minimum of one year
- You may go to prison for up to six months
- You may have to pay a fine of up to £5,000
- You may lose your job (15 per cent of those convicted do)
- Have a criminal record
- Face exceptionally high insurance costs once you get your licence back
- Have difficulty hiring a car within ten years of your conviction
For more information about the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol please see the DfT’s Think! Website
