Safety: Don’t fall for festive drink drive myths

Mark Bower-Dyke of Be Wiser Insurance, has issued a cautionary reminder of the need to stay safe and sober over the festive period:

He said: “Many motorists will get caught out during the Christmas period without thinking they’re over the limit, and most of these wouldn’t have considered driving if they thought they were on or over the limit. Sadly some of these arise as a result of some old drink-driving myths.”

Over half of UK drivers (53 per cent) say they still regularly hear the old adage that eating a big meal “soaks up” any alcohol consumed. The festive calendar is often full of big meals and some drivers think that having “one more” is acceptable.

The “morning after” syndrome is also a cause for concern, in that it can take up to 24 to 36 hours for the effect of alcohol to be removed from your system. So, if you have been drinking at a party until 1.00 am it is highly likely that you should not be getting in your car the following morning.

A lot of people think that a night’s sleep of 6 to 7 hours will have removed the alcohol from their system - but this can often not be the case.

Mark said: “Christmas and New Year are traditionally times for celebration, and for many that means having a drink or two. We’d be doing everyone a favour if we let anyone repeating these myths know they’re untrue and in some cases, dangerous.”

Despite the goodwill of the season there’s still a real problem with drink driving and many still rely on drink driving myths to justify having “just one more”.

Mark added: “Be safe, plan ahead and don’t drink at all if you’re supposed to be driving. Or even better: if you want to drink and be merry arrange a taxi home instead.”