Access Legal from Shoosmiths is backing national Road Safety Week (21 – 27 November 2011) coordinated by the charity Brake, and for this year's campaign, '2 Young 2 Die', we are kicking off with an article on drink driving.

There have been so many campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving that there can be no excuse for not knowing what is involved.  Despite this, according to the Department for Transport's 2010 report one in six deaths on our roads in 2009 were caused by drink drivers.  Perhaps the more startling statistic is that drink drivers were responsible for seven deaths and 28 serious injuries every week in 2009.

The effects of alcohol on a driver include lengthening their reaction time, impairing their judgment of speed and distance and reducing their overall co-ordination, whilst at the same time increasing the sense of self-confidence.  It is not surprising then that so many accidents, injuries and deaths are caused by drivers 'under the influence'.

The current legal limit in the UK is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.  This is significantly higher than many other countries in the EU, and well above the recommended 50mg limit set by the European Community.  Research also suggests that a driver's reactions, judgment and co-ordination can all be impaired even when they have less than the current UK limit of alcohol in their blood.

In 2011 the Government rejected a proposal to lower the drink drive limit but a wide range of action groups, including BRAKE, the road safety charity, continue to campaign not just for a reduction in the limit but for a zero tolerance approach towards anyone who drinks and drives.

Being found guilty of driving whilst over the legal limit can result in a custodial sentence of up to six months in prison, together with an unlimited fine and a one year ban from driving.  If someone is found guilty of causing death by careless driving, whilst over the legal limit, the prison sentence can increase to 14 years.

The message then is very simple and very clear.  If you are intending to drink on a night out, at a party or in any circumstance, make arrangements to get home which do not involve you getting behind the wheel of your car.  Book a taxi, check public transport routes, ensure that there is a designated driver in your group.  The risks to you and others are too great to ignore.

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