DRIVERS should avoid drinking alcohol if they plan on getting behind the wheel.
Read on to find out what the guidelines are for drink driving in the UK.
Will I be over the drink drive limit after one pint of beer?
Although alcohol is measured in units, it is not possible to determine how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit.
Alcohol affects everyone differently, depending on your weight, age, sex, and metabolism.
The type of alcohol you're drinking, whether you have eaten recently, and even stress levels, can alter the influence of the alcohol.
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So if you are the designated driver, it is best practice to not have any alcohol.
However, as a rough guide, for men, the legal limit is four units of alcohol which is equivalent to two pints of normal-strength beer.
On the other hand for women, the legal limit is around three units which is equivalent to one and a half pints of lower-strength beer, or two small glasses of wine.
Despite this guide, fatal car crashes have happened with drivers who are under the limit.
What is the alcohol limit for driving?
- A pint of lower-strength (around 4%) beer is two units
- A pint of high-strength (5% or more) beer is three to four units
- A small glass (125ml) of higher strength (14.5%) wine or champagne is two units
- A standard glass (175ml) of lower strength (12%) wine or champagne is also two unit
- A large glass (250ml) of lower strength (12%) wine is three units
- A single measure of spirit (40%) is one unit
- A double measure is two units
- A large bottle (700ml) of higher strength (5%) alcopop is four units
- A 275ml bottle of low-strength alcopop (4%) is one unit
Can I go to jail if I am over the drink-drive limit?
The short answer is, yes, you absolutely can.
Even if it is your first offence you could still face up to six months in prison in serious or severe cases.
For a first offence, other punishments include community service, a fine, a driving ban or a combination of the three.
Your sentence is decided by the person presiding over your case and it depends on the severity of your offence.
Causing death by dangerous driving carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.
You may be able to reduce your ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation scheme (DDRS) course if you’re banned from driving for 12 months or more. It’s up to the court to offer this.
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