Driving with a hangover can land you with a criminal record
The new figures show that 58% of people who have four or more drinks on a night out sometimes take the risk and drive the following morning, with only a third (33%) aware that they could still be over the limit.
Even though a drink driving conviction can lose drivers their jobs, the most common reason for getting behind the wheel after a heavy night of drinking was to get to work (37%).
Suzette Davenport, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead says, "The majority of drivers are aware that driving whilst impaired by drink or drugs is not worth the risk, but some do not think about how they will get home or to work the morning after a night out. Thinking ahead about getting home or to work safely the following morning is crucial and potentially if you are driving the morning after drinking you may need alternative travel arrangements. Driving under the influence is never worth the risk to yourself, to your future and to those you could injure or kill."
On average it takes around one hour for the body to break down one unit of alcohol, meaning it could take as long as 12 hours for the alcohol from four pints of higher strength beer (or four large glasses of wine) to leave your system.
Research suggests drivers are unaware of the dangers, with a third (33%) of people surveyed mistakenly think that drinking water would make them safer to drive, along with sleeping (28%) and eating a large meal (21%).
Related news, events and information
Police to target 'morning after' drivers.
30 November 2012 – THINK! and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) are joining forces to warn drivers that getting...
ACPO launches summer safety campaign
5 June 2012 – The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has launched its month long crack down on drink and drug...
Motorists wrongly calculate drink driving limits
2 December 2008 – Almost all motorists underestimate the number of units of alcohol in a medium strength pint of lager and a...
Teen Drivers
18 October 2021 – Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has produced a valuable commentary on Teen Drivers. It...
Business drivers: don’t wing it with energy drinks
13 October 2009 – High mileage business drivers who use high energy drinks to keep them going have been warned by leading...
THINK Campaign - Mates Matter is enhanced
25 February 2020 – THINK! has launched a campaign calling on young men to intervene and 'Pint Block' their mates. The campaign...
Gary Lineker calls for drink-free driving.
15 December 2011 – Car insurance brand for young drivers, ingenie, and Gary Lineker have produced a video to urge young drivers to...
Free soft drinks for designated drivers
1 December 2010 – RoadSafe supports Coca-Cola's Designated Driver campaign How do you know if you have had too much alcohol to...
Reductions in Drink-Drive limits
18 December 2015 – In reporting the The Belgian government's decision to follow France with the introduction of a 0.2 g/l blood...