Do not drink and drive
Christmas is a time for celebration, but it’s never worth risking lives by driving under the influence. Even small amounts of alcohol can slow your reaction times and affect your judgment behind the wheel.
Here are some simple tips to stay safe:
- if you’re planning to drink, plan not to drive
- nominate a designated driver who stays sober
- use public transport, a taxi, or a lift from someone you trust
- don’t accept a lift from anyone who’s been drinking
- if you're hosting, help guests arrange a safe way home
Never drive after drinking - even small amounts of alcohol can slow your reaction times and affect your judgement.
The legal limit varies across the UK:
- England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath (or 80 mg per 100 ml of blood).
- Scotland: 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath (or 50 mg per 100 ml of blood).
There’s no safe amount of alcohol for driving - the best choice is not to drink at all if you’re behind the wheel.
Remember, you could still be over the limit the morning after
The body breaks down about 1 unit of alcohol per hour, but it can vary widely. There’s no way to speed this up - coffee, food, showers, or sleep don’t make you sober faster.
Example: If you drank 8 pints of beer (roughly 16 units), it could take 16+ hours from your last drink before the alcohol is out of your system.
If you need to drive the morning after drinking, play it safe - use public transport, walk, or wait longer before getting behind the wheel. If you’re in any doubt, don’t drive - you could still be over the limit even if you feel okay.
- NHS guidance - Drinking and driving
- Drinkaware - How long does alcohol stay in your system?
- Gov.uk - The drink drive limit
Police carry out extra roadside checks over Christmas and New Year
If you’re caught, you could face a criminal record, a driving ban, or even a prison sentence.
Drug driving is also a serious offence. This includes illegal drugs and some prescription medications. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure.
The safest choice is simple - if you’re drinking, don’t drive