Drivers should stay well away from their cars after drinking during the festive period, or risk landing a hefty fine without even getting behind the wheel.
Vanarama, a car and van leasing company, is warning Brits that simply standing next to your car while under the influence could land you a £2,500 driving fine as well as three months in prison and a possible driving ban. Under English law it is possible to be charged with drunk driving without having been behind the wheel, MyLondon reports.
If it can be proven that you were intending to drive the vehicle then you can be prosecuted for driving under the influence.
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If you are found to have a motivation for driving, for example i you are expected at work or have an appointment booked, then these could all indicate that you had motivation and intention to drive under the influence. Other indicators that you intended to drive under the influence include being found inside your vehicle, including in the passenger seat, or if you have your keys in the ignition, even if you are not moving.
People in the UK were surveyed by Vanarama about their drink driving knowledge. Worryingly one in four could unknowingly break the law by drinking a glass of champagne with food and driving straight away.
The study showed how long you should wait depending on your tipple of choice as different drinks contain different alcohol limits.
- A large glass of wine - 5 hours
- Sex on the beach cocktail – 4 hours
- Double vodka – 4 hours
- Pint of cider – 4 hours
- Long island iced tea – 3.5 hours
- Pint of lager – 3.5 hours
- Pina colada – 3 hours
- A standard glass of champagne – 2.5 hours
- Single gin – 2.5 hours
Drinking before driving impacts your reaction times, coordination, vision and judgement. According to the independent charity Drinkaware, even drivers with a BAC of less than 0.05 per cent (roughly one and a bit pints of lager) have a three-times risk of dying in a vehicle crash. Those between 0.08 per cent and 0.10 per cent, equivalent to only three or four pints, are 11 times more likely to die in a crash.
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