It’s easy to be tempted by drink driving when you’re young. You’re on a night out, and everything is great. You have a few pints (or maybe some cocktails) and you don’t feel the effects, so you think you’re good to drive home. Indeed, you might not feel drunk. But that doesn’t mean your body hasn’t been affected by the alcohol.
When you drink and drive, it’s not just your first-time driver insurance that’s at risk – your life and the lives of others are. It’s a slippery slope that can have serious and fatal consequences, which is why it’s drilled into our minds that it’s not safe or acceptable. That and it’s illegal. This is where we take you through the dangers of drinking and driving.
What are the Statistics for Drink Driving?
Did you know that in the UK, around 300 people die from drink-driving-related accidents every year? Did you also know that if you have 50-80 mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in your system when compared to none at all, you are six times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision? That’s not the end of it either.
If you have 20-50mg of alcohol in your system per 100ml of blood, you are three times more likely to die on the roads. If you have just 10mg of alcohol in your body per 100ml of blood, you are also 46% more likely to be the one responsible for road traffic accidents. The statistics don’t lie, and driving under the influence of alcohol is more likely to kill you.
How Much Can You Drink Before Driving?
The limit depends on your location within the UK. In England and Wales, the legal limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. However, Scotland follows the same rules as most of Europe. This means that in Scotland, the legal limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. However, there are other European countries that take a different stance on it.
For example, Sweden doesn’t allow anything more than 20mg per 100ml of blood, and countries such as Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have a total zero-tolerance policy. This means you cannot drink at all before driving. That’s why it’s vital you check the rules before you hit the roads.
What Happens if You Get Caught Drink Driving?
If you’re caught and you’re over the limit or the police find you to be impaired while driving, you can receive an unlimited fine, up to six months in prison, and a year of being banned from driving (which is applied automatically). If you have been banned for 12 months or more, you can take a rehabilitation course to reduce your ban.
If you cause someone’s death while driving under the influence of alcohol, you can receive a life prison sentence and an unlimited fine. If you are a high-risk offender, you will need to pass a full medical examination by a qualified doctor before you will be allowed to receive a new license. This is to ensure you are classed as fit enough to drive.
How Long Does Alcohol Take to Leave Your System?
If you’re feeling hungover the next morning, you’re not safe to drive. If you’re worried about how much alcohol is in your system, remember this: one pint of beer tends to take two hours to leave your system. So, if you’re drinking all night (and you’re going for the stronger stuff), it’s probably still going to be in your blood.
How to Plan for a Night Out
If you want to have a night out, no one is stopping you. However, you need to plan ahead. Always have a designated driver who remains sober, ensuring everyone can get home safely. The best incentive for a designated driver is that everyone pays for their soft drinks and food that night (that’s how our friend groups have always done it).
If you’re the designated driver and you end up drinking, never drive. Instead, do the sensible thing and call a taxi to get home. You can pick up your car the next day; the most important thing is that everyone gets home safely.
Let MyFirst Help You Become a Safer Driver
At MyFirst, we provide some of the best car insurance for young drivers. We are cost-effective and reliable because we’ve done our research, and we know what it’s like to be young on the road.
