We all know the dangers of getting behind the wheel after drinking even just a small amount of alcohol, but every year thousands of drivers still take the risk. According to the RAC, there were 4,620 alcohol-related crashes on the UK's roads last year, and between 6,800 people were injured, while between 290 and 320 people died.
One man demonstrated how easy it is to be over the drink-drive limit by drinking two pints of Stella Artois and then doing a breathalyser test. James Palmer-Rimmer posts a range of content on social media relating to rum and other alcoholic drinks, and recently showed how even a relatively moderate amount of alcohol can affect your ability to drive. In a TikTok video, James said a number of his followers had asked him specifically to demonstrate the impact of the Belgian lager, which has an alcohol percentage of 4.6 per cent, and said he would drink two pints before doing a breathalyser test.
"In countries like the US, but also England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, on the breathalyser test we want it to show 0.08 or less," he said. In a caption on the screen James clarified he had missed a zero, and the figure should in fact be 0.008.
"Anything higher than that then I'm over the limit," he continued. "And in Scotland it's less than that as well, in Scotland it has be below 0.05, and that's all about the blood alcohol content." Again, a caption on the screen clarified this should be 0.005.
After drinking the two pints and waiting between 20 and 30 minutes, James showed how to use the breathalyser. "Frst of all turn it on," he said. "It says wait 10 seconds, and blow." After blowing into the machine, James showed the reading to the camera, showing he had a reading of 0.014.
"We wanted that to be 0.008, so I am over the limit, I can't drive," he said. "So two pints of Stella put me over the limit. What are you gonna do with that peice of information?"
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, it is illegal to drive with more than:
Scotland has stricter laws, with limits of:
Senior police chiefs have called for the rules in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to be brought in line with Scotland.
Units of alcohol per drink are not an accurate way to calculate whether you'll be safe to drive, as the way it affects you can vary depending on a range of factors, including:
Penalties for drink driving can include:
Anyone who causes death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol can face life in prison, as well as an unlimited fine, a minimum five-year driving ban, and a requirement to take an extended driving test before being allowed a driving license again.
