Oxford,
15
August
2016
|
10:23
Europe/London

Don’t let Summer tempt you to drink and drive

Summary

During sunny weather you may enjoy a lazy afternoon barbecue or drinks in a pub garden, where there may be a temptation to have ‘just one more’.

Whether you are at home enjoying a barbecue, at friends, down the pub or a wedding please don’t drink and drive is the message from Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service.

Even small amounts of alcohol can impact on a person’s ability to judge speed and distances, and to react quickly. Just take a look at this video of our firefighters trying to play football while wearing their ‘beer goggles’.

Mick Clarke, Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service Road Safety Manager said: “A small amount of alcohol will influence your ability to judge speed and distances, and your reaction times may be slow.

“The only safe option is not to drink alcohol if you plan to drive, and never offer an alcoholic drink to someone else who is intending to drive. Encourage them to have a drink soft drink, or why not offer them a Mocktail instead.”

“If you’re driving the next morning, don’t get caught out, you could still be over the drink drive limit, even if you feel fine. Know your limits and avoid heavy drinking the night before.”

“Drinking coffee, sleeping, or having a shower won’t work. Time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system.”

Try a Mocktail instead

There's no mocking these alcohol-free favourites. They are a great alternative on a night out or at a party or barbecue. If you’re the designated driver or if you have guests who are driving try a Mocktail instead.

If you’re going out rather than staying at home, lots of restaurants, pubs and bars offer a Mocktail menu. If they don’t, you could ask for a ‘virgin’ version of your favourite cocktail instead, any drink recipe can be modified by simply leaving out the alcohol.

The morning after

Enjoy a few beers or glasses of wine on a night out? You could still be over the drink drive limit the morning after, even if you feel fine.

Do you know how long you need to leave between you last drink and picking up your car keys?

Take a look at the quick guide on 365alive.co.uk. Or download the new ‘Morning After’ app which has been developed by the ‘Morning After’ campaign to help people reduce their risk of driving while over the limit the morning after drinking alcohol.

Notes to editors:

  • This advice is part of Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’s 365alive initiative.

  • For more information about the initiative, please visit www.365alive.co.uk