The backend of 2014 saw the introduction of a reduced drink-drive limit in Scotland.  The legal limit has been reduced from 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to just over half that amount (50mg) and this is expected to produce significant results in terms of a drop in the number of alcohol related accidents on Scotland’s roads.

How Much Alcohol Takes You over the Limit

Despite many theories to the contrary, there is absolutely no fool-proof way of drinking and ensuring that you stay under the limit.

The amount of alcohol you would need to drink to be considered over the driving limit varies from person to person and the drink drive charity Drinkaware highlights the following factors:

  • your weight
  • your gender (men tend to process alcohol faster than women)
  • your metabolism
  • the type and amount you’re drinking
  • your current stress levels
  • whether you’ve eaten recently
  • age (younger people tend to process alcohol more slowly)

The potential effects on the ability of people to drive from consuming even a small amount of alcohol should never be underestimated and therefore the only safe advice is to avoid any alcohol if you are driving.

Should There Be a Zero Limit

Whilst there is evidence to suggest that reducing the drink-driving limit completely will result in more saved lives, there is still a groundswell of thought that the introduction of a complete ban should not by introduced. This is because dropping the limit to zero though could mean that some people may find themselves over the limit due to things such as using mouthwash or from certain medications.

Here at Surrey Driving Force, we believe that if you are going to be driving you should abstain from alcohol, even if you are not likely to be driving until the morning after. A large percentage of drink drive incidents take place the morning after people have been out and therefore it is essential that drivers are responsible at all times. As a responsible driving school in Surrey, we are very clear on not drinking when driving.

For more on the introduction of the reduced drink drive limit in Scotland, please check out the following article in the Guardian – http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/dec/05/stricter-drink-drive-limit-force-scotland