The only guaranteed safe option is to avoid alcohol completely if you are planning to drive. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect your ability to drive, and there’s no safe way to tell whether you’re within the legal limit.
What is the legal limit for driving?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the legal alcohol limit for drivers is:
80 milligrams of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of blood in your body
35 micrograms of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of breath
107 milligrams of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of urine
In Scotland, the legal alcohol limit for drivers is:
50 milligrams of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of blood in your body
22 micrograms of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of breath
67 milligrams of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of urine
How can I stay within the legal limit?
There’s no sure way to calculate the amount of alcohol you can drink and remain below the legal limit. The effect alcohol has on the mind and body and speed of metabolism varies hugely between different people and depends on factors such as:
whether you’re male or female
your age – the speed at which you metabolise alcohol changes as you get older
your weight
how much you have eaten and how recently
what alcohol you are drinking, its potency and how quickly you are drinking it
stress levels and the environment in which you are drinking
How alcohol affects your mind and body:
Even a small amount of alcohol can affect your judgment and ability to drive safely. If you are taking prescription medication it can often react with alcohol and make any of these affects stronger:
Alcohol:
reduces your inhibitions and makes it far more likely you will take risks and could put you and others in vulnerable situations
reduces your co-ordination and slows down your reactions
affects your vision
impairs your ability to judge speed and distance
can make you drowsy
How long do the effects last?
It is vital to recognise that alcohol takes time to leave your body.
Consequently, if you drink at lunchtime, you may still be over the limit to drive in the evening
If you drink in the evening, it is highly likely you will still have too much alcohol in your system to drive the next morning
There’s no quick way of sobering up. Drinking coffee or taking a cold shower won’t help. Many hours after drinking, you could still be over the legal limit or unfit to drive.
Be vigilant for anyone tampering with your drink:
Always keep an eye on your drink, never leave it unattended as sadly it is relatively common for men and women to have their drink spiked. Take care.
Drink driving
If you fail a roadside breath test and are found guilty of drink driving, you may get:
six months in prison
an unlimited fine
a driving ban for at least 12 months
a criminal record
Staying safe and getting home:
Book a reputable taxi in advance to collect you, or use an Uber.
Arrange as a group to drive and have an allocated designated driver who will not drink that evening.
If you are planning to take public transport plan your route first and travel as a group.
If you in a bar meeting someone and feel uncomfortable, many bars have a scheme such as Ask for Angela or Angel Shots, where you can go to the bar and the code word will ensure they discretely call you a cab and enable you to escape safely.
It is strongly advised that you attend a Practical First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency. Please visit firstaidforlife.org.uk emma@firstaidforlife.org.uk or tel 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses. First Aid for life provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information.
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