For drivers
Drinking and driving
Around 60 drivers every year injure people because they have been drinking alcohol. These drivers risk everything - their own safety, their jobs, their freedom and the lives of their loved ones and other innocent victims - just for the sake of an alcoholic drink.
Drink-drive offences don't just happen at Christmas. Summer also sees a sharp rise in the number of alcohol-related road accidents. Long summer evenings are great for a drive into the countryside and stopping off at a picturesque village pub or a barbecue with family and friends. Often these happy events end in tragedy because drink has affected a driver's judgement and reactions.
Publicity campaigns have done much to make drinking and driving sociably unacceptable. However there is a hard core of drivers who still believe they can drink and drive. That is why we run publicity campaigns aimed at encouraging drivers to Think before they drink. Think about their family, their friends and loved ones, about the many innocent victims of drink drivers. And finally think about their careers.
'None for the road'
Many people still believe that a 'drunk driver' is one who gets out of the car and collapses 'legless' onto the floor. These 'believers' never consider that their own drinking habits may make them a drink driver. What these people fail to realise is that even a small amount of alcohol can affect their driving capability. The safest thing for any driver to do is not to drink and drive at all.
If you are going out for a drink
- take turns to be the driver who doesn't drink
- travel by taxi or public transport.
If you are giving a party
- have alcohol-free beers and soft drinks available
- don't lace anybody's drinks - they may be driving
- arrange a mini-bus home for your guests
- have the telephone number of a reliable taxi firm handy
- be prepared to provide overnight accommodation
- make sure your guests get home safely - you'd never forgive yourself if they didn't.
If you have been drinking the night before you may still be over the limit the morning after. There is no safe limit when driving, so leave the car at home.
Don’t Drink and Drive
Sharing our road space safely means staying within the limit – the alcohol and speed limit.
