Don't Take The Risk
Road Safety Scotland - Drink Driving the morning after
Waking up in the morning with a hangover and hopping in your car to work is most probably a familiar feeling, after all when you're hung over - and probably late as well - the last thing you want to do is worry about an alternative way of getting to work. But scenarios like this mean that, every day, many normally law-abiding drivers who would never consider drink-driving, risk getting behind the wheel when they could still be over the limit.
And even if they do not perceive themselves to be, they are still a drink-drivers and criminals.
Many people are also still unaware of the penalties imposed when caught drink-driving and the fact that they are exactly the same if they are just over the limit the day after as they are if they are caught well over it the previous night. If convicted they will have a criminal record for 20 years or until they are 40 years-old (which ever is longer). Other penalties include an automatic 12-month driving disqualification, a fine of up to £5,000 and six months in prison. Drivers can also expect their insurance premiums to triple.
The Facts
- About 1 in 7 deaths on Scotland's roads involve drivers who are over the drink-drive limit
- One in three motorists has driven 'the morning after' whilst over the limit*
- Half of all young drivers admit to driving in the morning despite excessive drinking the night before*
- Half of all male drivers in the UK admit to driving in the last year within two hours of having a drink*
- Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) Scottish drivers have admitted to driving over the limit*
* Research from Road Safety Scotland and Direct Line (2005)
Over the limit - for how long?
It takes time for your body to process alcohol, about one unit an hour, but this can vary greatly depending on your size, whether you're male or female and other factors. Many people believe that if you make sure you eat when you're drinking, have a good breakfast and a cup of strong coffee, then you can sober yourself up. But the truth is, nothing can speed up how quickly you process alcohol. It takes as long as it takes. For example, drinking five pints of lager late in the evening means it could be early afternoon before you are fit to drive again.
And, with larger measures and stronger drinks, it's almost impossible know exactly how much you've had and how long it takes for it to leave your system.
Thankfully, the stigma surrounding drink-driving is now so severe that the vast majority of drivers would never consider it. But this moral majority are unfortunately more likely to underestimate the risks of taking to the roads the morning after the night before - and are paying the consequences.
Risking it the morning after
This is exactly what happened to Andrew, a 29 year old from Inverness. 'I'd been out watching the football and it turned into a pretty late one, I had a fair bit to drink. The next morning I was pretty hung over but had to get to work. I was driving along and lent over to get a bottle of water from the passenger seat foot well - I had a raging thirst. Unfortunately a police car spotted me and thought I was getting my mobile phone. They stopped me and when I explained about the water they must have decided I looked a bit rough so they breathalysed me - for not driving with due care and attention apparently. It was positive, and I was convicted of drink-driving. Telling my girlfriend what had happened was bad enough but, when my work found out, I lost my job - I worked as a sales rep covering the whole of Invernesshire so obviously couldn't do the job any more. It had a devastating impact on my life, I had to get a lesser paid desk job and me and my girlfriend split up over it'.
Penalties for drink-driving include an automatic driving ban of at least 12 months, and the risk of a £5,000 fine, six months in prison and a criminal record for at least 20 years if convicted.
Says Michael McDonnell, Director of Road Safety Scotland “There's only one way to make sure you don't get caught - don't risk it. If you've had a drink and have to go somewhere the next morning then walk or take the bus. The consequences are too serious to not to.”
To find out more, you can go to www.donttaketherisk.com
Audio Features
Listen again to our on air features for this Life Matters article. Click on the 'play' link next to one of the titles to play that item.
PLAY > Road Safety 1
PLAY > Road Safety 2
PLAY > Road Safety 3
PLAY > Road Safety 4
PLAY > Road Safety 5
PLAY > Road Safety 6
Comments
There are currently no comments for this article - why not add one using the form below