Drink Driving: The Facts

It's illegal to drive a vehicle if your ability to do so is impaired by alcohol, or if you have a certain level of alcohol in your breath, blood or urine. It's impossible to say exactly how many drinks this is, as it's different for each person. The safest advice is to not drink any alcohol at all if you are planning to drive.

• Your brain takes longer to receive messages from your eyes.
• Processing information becomes more difficult.
• Your reaction times are slower.
• Your vision may become blurred or doubled.

Penalties can be severe and life-changing.

• Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit: Up to 3 months’ imprisonment, up to £2,500 fine, a possible driving ban.
• Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit: Up to 6 months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, a driving ban for at least 1 year (3 years if convicted twice in 10 years).
• Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink: Up to 14 years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, a driving ban for at least 2 years, an extended driving test before your licence is returned.

A conviction for drink-driving also means your car insurance costs will increase significantly, and if you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction on your licence.