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A Guide To Drink & Drug Driving Over Christmas: Staying Safe and Informed

The festive season brings, unfortunately, an increase in drink and drug-driving incidents. With the stress of preparations and an increase in Christmas gatherings, it's vital to stay vigilant. Knowing the risks and legal limits can help you make safe choices this Christmas.

Understanding road safety during this time can save lives and ensure the season remains enjoyable for everyone. Whether you're attending a party or hosting an event, being aware of the dangers and making informed decisions is important.

Taking precautions and planning ahead will keep you safe and also protect others on the road and surrounding pedestrian areas. By staying informed you contribute to a safer environment for all.

Understanding Drink and Drug Driving Legislation

Understanding the drink and drug driving laws during Christmas is key for ensuring road safety. These regulations define legal limits for alcohol and drugs and outline the consequences for violations.

Legal Alcohol and Drug Limits

The UK enforces strict limits on alcohol and drugs when driving:

  • The alcohol limit is set at 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath
  • 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood
  • 107 milligrams per 100 millilitres of urine

Drug limits vary for illegal drugs like cannabis and cocaine, with specific thresholds established to ensure driver impairment is minimised. The law also considers the impact of prescription medications which requires you to verify if your medication affects your driving ability. Always consult your healthcare provider or check the medication leaflet for guidance on driving or operating heavy machinery.

Consequences of Drink and Drug Driving

Breaking drink or drug driving laws can result in serious repercussions. Legal penalties include heavy fines, mandatory driving bans, and imprisonment for the most serious offences. For drink driving, penalties can range from:

  • A £2,500 fine
  • Minimum one-year driving ban
  • Up to six months in prison

Penalties depend on how compliant you are with police officers and whether there are any consequences following driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You may also be left with a criminal record that can impact your long-term future.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council enforces road traffic laws to maintain road safety for everyone. Your driving behaviour not only affects your legal standing but also impacts public safety. It’s important to keep in mind over Christmas that being responsible and following these laws helps to ensure everyone's safety on and off the roads.

Staying Safe and Responsible During Christmas

This Christmas when travelling your main focus should be on planning your journey home. Exploring alternative options to driving yourself home and understanding the need to support roadside checks.

Planning Your Journey Home

During the festive period, it's important to plan your journey home properly:

  • Arrange a designated driver and choose someone in your group who remains alcohol-free for the evening.
  • If a designated driver isn't an option, consider arranging alternative transport.
  • Pre-book a taxi or arrange a lift with friends or family beforehand to avoid the temptation to drive under the influence.
  • Public transport such as buses or trains can be a reliable alternative for a safe return home. Evaluate the routes and timings before going out and have a backup plan just in case.

Alternatives to Driving

Exploring alternatives to driving is not only responsible but also potentially life-saving:

  • Ride-sharing services provide an easy and efficient way to ensure a safe journey home.
  • Make use of apps that allow you to share rides with others heading in the same direction. This also helps to reduce costs and decrease the number of vehicles on the road.
  • Choosing to stay overnight at nearby accommodation or a friend's place is another responsible choice.
  • If you have no other options for safe travel home, stick to soft drinks and alcohol-free food during your celebrations.

Supporting Roadside Checks and Targeted Operations

Supporting roadside checks and targeted operations is important for keeping roads safe during Christmas. Awareness of initiatives such as breath tests and other roadside checks helps to reduce incidents of drink and drug driving.

When being asked to partake in roadside checks, always cooperate fully and consider them an essential public service. Police conduct targeted operations during this time to deter unsafe behaviour. Understanding the role of these checks can influence safer decisions.

Encourage friends and family to cooperate with your efforts over Christmas and inform them of the potential consequences of drink-driving. It’s a good idea to also help support your loved ones in being responsible when hosting Christmas events.

Supporting responsible actions not only keeps you safe but also contributes to broader road safety.

Here at Noble Solicitors, with our expert legal knowledge, we can assist our clients with advice and support if they are facing a driving conviction. Speak to our team of trusted solicitors if you’d like guidance on the next steps and to find out how we can help.