Whether it’s house parties, barbecues or festive tipples, any kind of gathering can result in you having a few more drinks than you intended. If you’re a while from home, you might be tempted to get behind the wheel.
However, even if you’ve only had ‘a few,’ you’re still a danger on the road. As well as dangerous, drink-driving is also illegal. If you’re heading out to a big party, make sure you avoid drinking and driving to keep yourself and those around you safe.
We’ve compiled these tips to show you ways you can avoid driving under the influence – and why it’s so important to stay away from the wheel if you’ve had alcohol.
Why shouldn’t I drink and drive?
Even the smallest amount of alcohol affects reaction times and can cause blurred or double vision, which poses a huge risk when you’re behind the wheel. You run the risk of causing an accident, which can leave you with a smashed-up car and a hefty insurance claim to deal with.
And it’s not just your car that might be damaged – hundreds of people are killed in drink-driving accidents a year, with even more being injured.
It only takes one mistake to put you or someone else in danger on the road, which is why drink-driving is always discouraged. If you are caught drink-driving, or attempting to drive, and found to be above the legal limit, you may face:
- 6 months’ imprisonment
- an unlimited fine
- a ban from driving for at least 1 year (3 years if convicted twice in 10 years)
If you cause death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink, you may get:
- life imprisonment
- an unlimited fine
- a ban from driving for at least 5 years
- an extended driving test before your licence is returned
The choice of losing your license or spending £20 on a taxi seems like a simple decision to make, but drink driving still remains a big problem throughout the country. So, make sure you don’t ruin your night by taking the wheel under the influence.
How can I avoid drink-driving?
Luckily, it’s easy to avoid drink-driving. The tips we’ve put together are simple – and they can be the difference between having an enjoyable night out or ending it in a dangerous accident.
1. Arrange for someone to be the designated driver
If you’re planning a night out and you know there’s going to be alcohol, plan ahead and designate someone to drive. This might be a friend who chooses not to drink, or you could ask for a lift from a parent at the end of the night. If you have a group of friends you go out with regularly, you might want to consider taking it in turns to be the designated driver, meaning you’ll always have at least one person suitable to drive every time you go out.
Has your designated driver edged over the drink drive limit? Don’t let them behind the wheel. If you have another friend with a driver’s licence who hasn’t been drinking, suggest arranging short term car insurance for them. That way, they can take the group home in your mate’s car and make sure you all arrive safely.
2. Use public transport
Buses, trains, and taxis are great – and often cheap - ways of getting home without having to drive. Check the timetable so that you don’t miss the last bus or train, and make sure you have some cash and a local taxi number to hand if you’re going to get a taxi home. Are there are a few of you going the same way? This can make taxis even cheaper if you split the bill, meaning you get home safely without paying a fortune.
3. Stick to non-alcoholic
You might think you can’t celebrate if you’re not drinking alcohol – but it is still possible to have fun without it. Many companies now produce soft drinks that are just as delicious as your favourite alcoholic tipple and will save you the hangover the next morning. Try having zero-alcohol beer or mocktails to make you feel like you’re joining in, without compromising your safety when you have to drive home.
4. Alcohol-free nights out
While it can feel as though alcohol makes up a large part of a night out, it doesn’t have to. It’s easy to have fun and spend time with friends while staying sober. Go for a meal, to the cinema, or try an interesting new group activity instead of going to a bar. That way, you’ll avoid the temptation of having a drink – and will probably have a great time!
5. Avoid peer pressure
Peer pressure is one of the biggest factors that causes young people to drink-drive. If someone challenges you at a party or tries to persuade you to have a drink, explain to them your reasons for staying sober. If they carry on, ignore them.
You might want to please your friends but remember that they won’t be the ones dealing with the consequences if you’re caught behind the wheel – so don’t let them determine your decisions.
Remember, drink-driving is never a good idea, even if you think you’re sober enough to drive. Stay safe by avoiding taking the wheel while drunk – a few drinks aren’t worth losing your licence or causing an accident.
Correct at the time of publication. Information in this article has been gathered from various sources, therefore WiseDriving cannot be held responsible for any view or opinion expressed herein.
