Drinking and driving

Any amount of alcohol will affect your ability to drive and this can have disastrous consequences.

As an example, if you were to drive at twice the legal alcohol limit, you are at least 30 times more likely to cause a road crash, than a driver who hasn't been drinking.

There are several factors that will affect your tolerance to alcohol including:

• weight
• gender
• age
• metabolism
• current stress levels
• recent food consumption
• amount of alcohol

All these factors mean that the only safe option is not to drink alcohol if you plan to drive, and never offer an alcoholic drink to someone else who is intending to drive.

 

Drugs and driving

Driving under the influence of drugs - whether prescribed medication or illegal substances - is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. It Is also against the law.

Drugs can affect your mind and body in a variety of ways that mean you aren't able to drive safely. Not only that, the effects can last for hours or even days.

 

Drug tests
The police can carry out roadside tests of impairment to help them decide whether to arrest you if they think you are unfit to drive through drugs.

For more information on how different types of drugs can affect your driving, visit www.dft.gov.uk

 

How drugs affect your driving

• Slower reaction times.
• Poor concentration. 
• Sleepiness/fatigue. 
• Confused thinking. 
• Distorted perception. 
• Over confidence, so you take unnecessary risks. 
• Impaired co-ordination. 
• Erratic behaviour. 
• Nausea. 
• Hallucinations. 
• Blurred vision/enlarged pupils. 
• Aggression. 
• Panic attacks and paranoia. 
• Tremors. 
• Dizziness. 
• Cramps.

If convicted for driving while unfit through drugs, drivers face:

• A minimum one-year driving ban. 
• A fine of up to £500. 
• A prison sentenced of up to six months. 
• A ten-year prison sentence would apply if convicted of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drinks or drugs.