Student Union Campaigns: 12 Days of Christmas…Staying Safe Day 9 – Drink Driving Awareness

Published on 09.12.15

Around Christmas time is when the amount of drink driving increases. So I am teaming up with www.think.direct.gov.uk with their Drinking driving awareness campaigns. Below is some of the information and advice from their website… Drink driving It’s not worth the risk In the last 50 years road casualties caused by drink driving have fallen

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Around Christmas time is when the amount of drink driving increases. So I am teaming up with www.think.direct.gov.uk with their Drinking driving awareness campaigns. Below is some of the information and advice from their website…

Drink driving
It’s not worth the risk

In the last 50 years road casualties caused by drink driving have fallen dramatically, but in 2013, there were still 240 deaths due to drink driving – accounting for 14% of all road fatalities. By drinking and driving, you risk your life, those of your passengers and others on the road.

THINK! A second drink can double your chance of a fatal collision

Our new campaign targets those who still think it’s okay to have ‘a couple’ of drinks before driving. The campaign shows scenarios where someone might consider having two drinks before driving or choose to drive after drinking and the deadly consequences that can occur.

The law
There are strict alcohol limits for UK drivers:
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the legal alcohol limit for drivers is:
• 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
• 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood
• 107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine
In Scotland (from 5 December 2014) the legal alcohol limit for drivers is lower at:
• 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
• 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood
• 67 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine.

However it is not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. The way alcohol affects you depends on:
• your weight, age, sex and metabolism (the rate your body uses energy)
• the type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking
• what you’ve eaten recently
• your stress levels at the time
So if you’re driving, it’s better to have none for the road.
The consequences
There are strict penalties if you are convicted of drink driving, including:
• A minimum 12 month driving ban
• A criminal record
• A hefty fine
• Up to 6 months in prison
• An endorsement on your license for 11 years

However, this list does not reflect the everyday consequences of being caught drink driving which can include:
• Increase in car insurance costs
• Job loss
• Trouble getting in to countries like the USA
• The shame of having a criminal record
• Loss of independence
The Institute of Advanced Motorists calculate that a drink drive conviction could cost between £20,000 – £50,000 as a result of fines, solicitors fees, increase in car insurance and loss of job.

…I hope you have learnt a bit about how serious drink driving is, and the consequences.
Safe driving.

Emily Nicholls(Campaign Officer)