Health and Safety

DFT Campaign

The DfT "THINK!" web site reminds all drivers of the personal consequences of drink driving, and that a drink driving conviction can ruin your life. The campaign is focussed on the 'moment of doubt' around the second pint, when drivers are considering whether or not to have another drink.

The campaigns aim to:

• increase awareness of the personal consequences of a drink driving conviction
• encourage the belief that 1 or 2 drinks before driving is too many and not worth the risk
• reinforce and build the social stigma around drink driving

If you 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. Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. There is no foolproof way of drinking and staying under the limit, or of knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely.

Drink Driving and the Law

The legal consequences of a drink driving conviction are severe and long-lasting.

• Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs = 14 years' imprisonment, together with an unlimited fine, disqualification from driving for at least two years and a mandatory extended driving test.
• Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink = 6 months' imprisonment, together with a fine of up to £5,000 and disqualification from driving for at least 12 months (three years if convicted twice in ten years).
• Being in charge of a vehicle whilst above the legal limit or unfit through drink = three months' imprisonment, a fine of up to £2,500 and discretionary disqualification from driving.
• Refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis = six months' imprisonment, together with a fine of up to £5,000 and disqualification from driving for at least 12 months.

Alcohol Tolerance

Each person's tolerance to alcohol depends on a range of factors including:

• weight
• gender
• age
• metabolism
• current stress levels
• whether they have eaten recently
• amount of alcohol

So 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.