Drunk Driving: Stoping the Menace

Drunk Driving: Stoping the Menace

Even though the government has spent tremendous time and effort to promote safer driving, there still remain myths about drink driving that many people still continue to believe.

Drink driving takes away countless lives and separates families from loved ones. In fact, nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are over the legal limit. In addition, according to the UK department of transport, there were approximately 100,000 drivers convicted of drink driving the UK last year.

Even though the government has spent tremendous time and effort to promote safer driving, there still remain myths about drink driving that many people still continue to believe.

The effects of driving while under the influence can lead to disastrous consequences. Alcohol consumption often results in slower reactions, increased stopping distance, poorer judgement of speed and distance, and a reduced field of vision. Alcohol can also make the driver over-confident and more likely to take risks.

According to the Department of Transport, if you drive at twice the current legal alcohol limit (the current limit is 0.8 mg/ml), you will be at least 50 times more likely to be involved in a car accident. The department also asserts that 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured on our roads each year in drink driving related crashes.

Drink-Driving: The Consequences

If you decide to drink drive while motoring in the UK, you should be prepared for the consequences associated with such a dangerous activity. It is also important to know that drink driving charges don’t just occur in the event of an accident. Police have the right to pull you over and ask you to take a breath test at any time.

If you are convicted of drink driving, here are some of the consequences you may face.

• Your car insurance costs will increase
• You will have a criminal record
• You may not be able to drive for over a year
• You could lose your job

Of course, many believe that those who are caught by police are lucky; these drink drivers are stopped before they harm themselves are someone else.

The UK’s Challenge: End Drink Driving

As shocking as drink driving statistics are, there still remain those who continue to defy common sense and drink drive anyways. Although the UK’s laws are not exactly lax, other countries are definitely stricter.

In Norway, for example, any alcohol level above 0.1 mg/ml is considered illegal. Having no tolerance means that drivers never have to guess whether those couple of drinks have put them over the limit.

Similarly strict is Denmark. Although this country has a limit similar to the UK, drivers who blow over 0.8 mg/ml face imprisonment. As a result of these strict laws, there have been fewer alcohol-related deaths in their respected countries.

Drink Driving is a serious issue requiring further education and de-bunking of drink driving myths. Most importantly, it takes the responsibility of everyone to be aware of the law to become more responsible to protect everyone on the road. Spread the word and let everyone know about the consequences, challenges, and laws involved in stopping the drink driving menace.

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