PRICES
In real terms, between 2010and 2013 household spending on alcoholic drinks in the UK fell by 5.7%, whilst that bought for consumption outside the home fell by 13.4%. Alcohol in England in 2013 was nearly 54% more affordable than it was in 1980, highlighting the overall trend of increasing affordability over the period.
In the last 50 years road casualties caused by drink driving have fallen dramatically, but in 2013, there were still 240 deaths due to drink driving – accounting for 14% of all road fatalities. By drinking and driving, you risk your life, those of your passengers and others on the road. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the legal alcohol limit for drivers is: - 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood
Even small amounts of alcohol affect your ability to drive and the only safe advice is to avoid any alcohol if you are driving.If the police want to investigate whether you are over the drink driving limit, they will carry out a screening breath test at the roadside. To do this, they will use a breathalyser.If you fail this test, or if they have other grounds to believe that your driving was impaired through drink, you will be arrested and taken to a police station. After this you will be prosecuted.
In 2012, 1,200 people were seriously injured when a driver was over the legal alcohol limit. As a result, 280 people were killed in drink driving accidents (1).These figures are too high but accidents involving drink driving have decreased hugely over the last 35 years. Deaths and serious injuries related to drink driving have fallen by more than three-quarters since 1979. Driving under the influence has a large effect on not just yourself but others too, you could injur or even kill others.
You could be imprisoned, banned from driving and face a fine if you’re found guilty of drink-driving. The actual penalty you get is up to the magistrates who hear your case, and depends on your offence. You may be able to reduce your ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation scheme (DDRS) course if you’re banned from driving for 12 months or more. It’s up to the court to offer this.