Drink Driving – Is it Worth it?

Posted on September 16th, 2011 by admin, under Driving Research and Statistics, Driving Tips.

Some car owners have ended up in that unfortunate predicament of when they’ve had one too many alcoholic beverages, and something has popped up requiring their need to step foot into their vehicle and attempt to drive. Maybe that hot date needs a lift home, and you’re all too eager to flash your skills behind the wheel? Perhaps that demanding neighbour of yours has rang you in a matter of urgency, claiming they’re locked out yet again and you’re the only person who can help.

In some cases, drivers would jump into their car without a second thought, risking their driving licenses, putting their life at risk and endangering other motorists and pedestrians. Before jumping behind the wheel consider, is your ego boost or neighbour’s dilemma worth the possibility of losing your driving license, or worst – your life?

Well, let’s first look at what the legal drinking limit is for driving. According to “Think!”; The legal maximum amount of alcohol for a driver to have is;

“35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood
107 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine”

Although these facts are in place, they are just empty figures with no real indication of what the limit is. Typical thoughts include “I’m well-built, I can handle a drink” or “I ate a large dinner that should have soaked all my alcohol up”. Well, there’s no sure-fire way of calculating how alcohol will affect your body, as there’s so many different variables it depends on. But you begin to wonder whether that forgetful, locked out neighbour will ever forgive you for failing to assist? Before answering this question you have to consider whose mistake would potentially be more costly: your neighbour’s key misplacement or being stopped by the police for drink driving – no contest there.

If the Police breathalyse you and decide you are over the limit, this could result in you being charged with a drink driving offence. This not only gives you a criminal record, but could lead to you having to pay a hefty fine, or receiving a driving ban. In the worst cases, a fatal accident could lead to a prison sentence. You would definitely need to be in contact with some good motoring offence solicitors then. Also, If you have a drink driving conviction according to Think!, it could result in “career loss, strain on personal relationships and higher insurance costs”.

So instead of risking your and other’s safety, and the possibility of a criminal record amongst other consequences; DO NOT drink prior to, or whilst, driving. Not only could it affect you, it could affect those around you. Your friends and family (hot dates and ailing neighbours included) would not be impressed with you endangering your life. So if you do have an alcoholic drink and something crops up; utilise your legs (burn some of those calories from that beverage!), call a taxi, or hop on a means of public transport.