The morning after – will you still be over the limit?

Shropshire County Council’s Road Safety Team and Shrewsbury Town Football Club have joined forces to remind motorists to avoid driving the morning after they have been drinking or taking drugs.

It is important that drivers are aware of the length of time that alcohol can remain in the body. It is a known fact that drivers who have any alcohol or drugs in their bodies have less control of their vehicle and are more likely to cause a crash in which someone is hurt.

Research shows that alcohol can only be released from the body at a set rate (one pub measure per hour, i.e. half a pint of beer, is a very rough guide). If people are taking in more alcohol than their body is getting rid of, alcohol levels will build up and once they have stopped drinking it may take a long time for the alcohol to clear their system. The result is that the person could easily be over the limit the following day.

Steve Chadwick, Shropshire County Council’s senior road safety officer, is offering people the following advice:

• Remember to plan your travel for the following day not just to and from the party.
• If you know you will be drinking a lot, book the following day off work, arrange a lift, use public transport or a taxi.
• If you suspect that you might still be over the limit, do not drive – it is not worth the risk.

He added: “There is no definite way of judging how much you can drink and stay under the current legal limit. The amount and type of alcohol you drink and your weight, gender, age and metabolism all play a part.

“It is also important to remember that drinks served at family and friends can be more generous than pub measures."

The campaign message is a storyboard style initiative, which encourages the audience to think about “The End”, which could mean the end of their life, their friend’s life or their independence. It reminds young people to think about the consequences of drinking or drug taking and driving, and the consequences of seriously injuring or killing a passenger, whilst in their vehicle. In the end, the message is simple, Think!”

The campaign message will be displayed over the festive season throughout Shropshire and the West Mercia area.

12 December 2007