‘Morning after’ drink driving is on the increase with more motorists putting themselves and other road users at risk, according to figures released by LV insurance. LV obtained figures from 22 of the 45 police forces in England and Wales, finding arrests between 06:00 and 08:00 rose by 4% from 350 in 2011 to 363 in 2012.
A separate survey by LV found 46% of drivers had no idea or underestimated how long it took for alcohol to leave the body. Typically a healthy body will process around 1 unit per hour, but a wide range of variables such as body size, gender, age and other factors come into play.
Crucially, the time span of consumption will also significantly affect blood alcohol levels. There is therefore no specific number of 'units' that equates to the legal drink drive limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood or 35mg per 100ml of breath. Drinkers who attempt to calculate alcohol processed by the body at '1 unit per hour' would be wise to add at least an extra hour and ensure they do not underestimate the number of units consumed.
Drink-driving arrests typically rise in the run up to Christmas, so LV car insurance's John O'Roarke warned: "It's easy to assume that after a good night's sleep you will be sober enough to drive the next day but, depending on how many units you've had, you may not be fit to drive." Alcohol can also negatively affect sleep so could also be a risk factor for driving the next day.
Overall rates of drink-driving appear to have stabilised following significant falls since the 1970's. However police have been unable to reduce breath test failure rates below the 5% mark, and are worried about higher rates amongst under 25s. Police in the West Midlands are encouraging people to report anyone they know to be drink driving and could recieve a £200 reward.
In 2011 it was announced the legal drink-drive limit would remain at 80mg per 100ml of blood despite an independent report calling for it to be reduced to bring it in line wth most European countries. Instead the Government said it would focus on "improving enforcement and education to tackle the drink and drug drivers who put lives at risk."
See here for the Think! road safety website, including facts and advice on drink-driving.
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