Drink Driving
As a driving school in Helensburgh, safer driving is important.
DRINK DRIVING
As a premier driving school in Helensburgh, Hart Services Lomond feels strongly about getting the message out that drinking and driving is not to be tolerated, as newly trained drivers are normally in the age range that alcohol and socialising are seen as being close partners HART Services Lomond are trying to pass on the "Take your car don't take a drink" message.
As part of this campaign we have purchased an Alcotest Unit this is a breath testing machine that will be used if the instructor feels that the student has presented themselved for a lesson after drinking alcohol, even if it was the evening prior to the driving lesson. The result of the test is definative and final, if alcohol is found to be present then the lesson will not continue. This is a safeguard for both the instructor and the general public.
Drink driving is a serious issue and a growing problem amongst UK drivers. Many drivers fail to realise the effect that alcohol has on their judgment, and how long alcohol resides in their system before it is safe to drive again. Consuming any amount of alcohol is damaging to a driver's reactions and co-ordination, which puts yourself, passengers, other cars and pedestrians at risk.
The legal alcohol limit is: (as at 23.2.09 these limits are subject to government review)
- 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath
- 80 milligrams per 100 ml of blood
- 107 milligrams per 100 ml of urine
There is no definitive way for someone to work out whether they are over the limit. Or to decide how much it will be safe for them to drink. The amount of alcohol one can safely consume depends on:
- Age
- Sex
- Weight
- Metabolism
- How much you have eaten
- Stress levels
- Type of alcohol drunk
Due to the numerous calculations and measurements that would be required to work out your ability to drink a little and drive, the safest option is not to drink at all, and never offer a drink to someone else who you know to be driving.
What happens when you Drink and Drive?
It can only take one drink for a driver's judgment of speed and distance to become impaired, and for their reaction and anticipation to worsen. Alcohol can give a false confidence boost which causes the driver to make risky and dangerous decisions.
The consequences of drink driving are such that if you are 50% above the legal limit, you become five times more likely than a sober person of being involved in a fatal or serious road accident.
As many as 10 people die every week as a direct result of drink driving. Do you think you could live with someone's death on your conscience? (You may not live at all. 60% of deaths in drink drive incidents are of the actual drunk driver.)
The statistics say, over 2000 people in total each year are killed or seriously injured in accidents caused by drink driving.
Sobering Up
Many drivers seem to think that because they have been to sleep, the alcohol that they have drunk has somehow left their system. Morning motorists may still be over the limit without realising it until it's too late. If you must drive after a night's drinking, allow at least an hour for every half pint that you have drunk. It is always wiser however not to drive at all that day.
It can take up to 12 hours for a driver to be safe, having drunk one bottle of wine or four pints continental strength lager.
You will face the same penalties if you are over the limit in the morning as you would if it had been the night before.
Penalties for Drink Driving
A driver can be stopped by the police and asked to give a breath test under the following conditions:
- If the police have reasonable cause to suspect the driver has committed or is committing a driving offence
- If the police have reasonable cause to suspect that the driver has consumed alcohol
- If the police have reasonable cause to suspect that the driver was involved in an accident
If you are convicted of drink driving you will:
- Lose your driving license for at least 12 months (potentially leading to job loss)
- Have a criminal record
- Face a fine of up to £5000
- Face up to 6 months in prison
- Have to pay for more car insurance
The penalty for causing the death of someone while drunk driving is high and can involve prison time.