If you are heading out when the pubs reopen, make sure you have a plan to get home safely. That’s the message today from Lincolnshire Police and the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.
Insp Marc Gee of Lincolnshire Police said: “Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs your judgement and ability to drive safely. You will be endangering the lives of other drivers, passengers and pedestrians as well as your own. Aside from the greatly increased risk of causing a collision, being caught drink or drug driving has consequences including a criminal record and a heavy fine.
“We have extra patrols on at key times in response to the pubs reopening and we will specifically be seeking out anyone driving whilst unfit through alcohol or drugs.
“The reopening of pubs might feel like a new freedom to be celebrating, but that would be very short lived if you are arrested for causing death or serious injury by dangerous driving.”
John Siddle of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership said: “Drivers may see that the re-opening of pubs this weekend as an opportunity to get back to some sort of normal, go out and enjoy the company of friends, celebrate being back in their local pub.
“We would ask anyone tempted to drive, knowing that they will drink too much to think again. We know you would rather not use public transport or get a taxi. What we would say is if you can’t drink less than the legal limit to drive or find a way to celebrate safely without putting yourself or others at risk on the road, then stay at home. One incident of drinking and driving may alter your life, or at worst case, may end someone’s life.”
Alcohol
Alcohol effects people in different ways so it is impossible to say how many drinks it takes to reach the legal limit. It can vary depending on several factors including age, sex and metabolism.
Our advice is simple. Do not consume alcoholic drinks if you are driving or intend to drive. If it’s the morning after, bear in mind that you may well still be over the limit and plan accordingly.
You could face a prison sentence, a ban from driving and a fine if you’re found guilty of drink driving.
Find out more about drink driving penalties at gov.uk
www.gov.uk/drink-driving-penalties
Drugs
It is also an offence to drive with certain drugs above a specified level in your blood. This offence relates to both legal and illegal drugs.
The limits for all illegal drugs are low: taking even a small amount of an illegal drug could put you over the limit.
You can see the drug driving limits on the gov.uk website
www.gov.uk/government/collections/drug-driving
As with alcohol, it is impossible to say what dosage would equate to being over the specified limits.
The punishments for drug driving are similar to those of drink driving.
Find out more about drug driving law at gov.uk
Advice
There is no safe limit for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Our advice is simple, do not drive:
- If you have or are planning to drink alcohol, plan your journey home without driving
- Don’t offer an alcoholic drink or drugs to someone you know is planning to drive
- Don’t accept a lift from a driver who you know has drunk alcohol or taken drugs
Report it
If you want to report someone who habitually drives whilst under the influence of drink or drugs please report to Crimestoppers.
crimestoppers-uk.org
If you suspect someone of drink or drug driving, or know someone who is about to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs, call police on 101.
If there is an immediate danger to life, call us on 999.
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