Think about it! Don't drink and drive

The only safe option is not to drink alcohol if you plan to drive.

If you are intending to drink remove the question of driving from the equation. It’s not worth the risk, if you drink and drive you are putting yourself, any passengers and other road users in danger.

• Book a taxi - it can cost as little as one round of drinks


• Catch the bus or train


• Designate a driver - if you're in a group, agree who will be the designated driver before any alcohol has been drunk


• Stay overnight


• Give your keys to someone you can trust - it's easy to think you're perfectly able to drive safely when you're not remove the temptation before it's there


• Even walk home


• And don’t accept a lift from a driver you know has drunk alcohol


• Or offer an alcoholic drink to someone else who is intending to drive. If you’re the designated driver only drink soft drinks, even one alcoholic drink is not worth the risk.

On the odd occasion someone may try and push you into having ‘one for the road’ or ‘a proper drink’. Don't listen to peer pressure remember:

• They’re not the ones driving


• Or will be the ones having to face the consequences if you are involved in an incident whilst over the limit

Don’t get caught out the morning after

You may not be aware of how long it takes for alcohol to leave your system meaning you could still be over the drink drive limit the morning after, even if you feel fine.

If you are planning on driving the next day make sure you know your limits and never drive if there’s even a slim chance you are still ‘under the influence’.

• Time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system


• Drinking coffee, sleeping, or having a shower doesn’t work.

The actual time it takes for alcohol to leave your body can vary depending on:

• Your weight


• Whether you’re male or female


• Your age


• How quick or slow your metabolism is


• How much food you have eaten


• And whether you’re taking medication.

As a guide you can use the unit calculation to work out the earliest time you would be safe to drive.