Are You Drinking More Than You Think? Festive Warning for Drivers

With Christmas parties on the horizon, a new study is raising concerns about how well drivers understand the drink driving limits in the UK.

Two in Five Drivers Are Getting the Limit Wrong

A survey from Leasing Options found that around two in five motorists, or 37 percent, overestimated the legal drink driving limits. This comes as government discussions continue around lowering the limit from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 micrograms.

Drink driving currently accounts for 17 percent of all road deaths in the UK.

Search interest has also surged, with Google Search Trends recording a 5000 percent rise in searches for ‘penalty for drink driving’ over the last 30 days.

A Third of Brits Unsure About the Limit

The survey showed that almost 4 in 10 respondents overestimated the approximate limit of about three units for women and four units for men in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This is roughly equal to two pints of regular lager or two small glasses of wine.

Warning Ahead of the Party Season

With the festive season arriving and more people heading out for drinks, Mike Thompson, Chief Operating Officer of Leasing Options, is urging drivers to avoid alcohol if they intend to drive.

Mike said:
“As the colder weather creeps in and trips to cosy pubs or social calendars fill up ahead of the festive season, many drivers might consider having one or two drinks before driving. But its important to remember that even a small amount of alcohol can affect reaction times and driving ability, and this can be dangerous even on short journeys around the corner.
“Many people don’t realise that alcohol affects everyone differently. Factors such as height, gender, weight and even what you’ve eaten that day can all play a part in how your body processes alcohol. For safety, it’s wise to select an alcohol-free or soft drink if you intend to drive and avoid drinking completely. With the rise of the sober movement, there are now plenty of great alcohol-free beers widely available in local pubs, from alcohol free Guinness to craft beer options.
“It’s also important to remember that alcohol stays in the system for up to 12 hours, so if you’re planning to drive home the next morning after a social function, it’d be safer to arrange another mode of transport.
“Even slightly exceeding the limit puts others at risk, with drink-driving collisions reaching 540 in 2024. Penalties and fines can reach up to £2,500, along with possible imprisonment and a minimum 12-month driving ban. We urge drivers to be cautious over the party season and think sensibly to protect themselves and others.”

More Information

The full survey findings are available here:
https://www.leasingoptions.co.uk/news/blog/safety-knowledge-survey/9040

Legal drink driving limits can be found on the government website:
https://www.gov.uk/drink-drive-limit