Drivers have been warned to think twice before getting behind the wheel after Christmas parties (Image: Getty)
Drivers thinking about meeting up with loved ones for a drink over have been urged to leave their car behind or face devastating consequences, .
Whilst Christmas is often seen as an opportunity to catch up with friends and family, those going to parties or meeting at the pub are often more inclined to .
Richard Evans, spokesperson for the vehicle buying service , warned drivers that it is often difficult for drivers to work out when they are .
He explained: “The for driving in the UK is 80mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. This equates to one glass of wine for an average woman (three units of alcohol) and two glasses of wine for an average man (five units of alcohol).
“This being said, and the units you can consume will depend on several factors including a driver’s height, weight and metabolism. With all things considered, it is difficult to know if you are below the legal limit after drinking at all so it is best to avoid driving after having any alcohol.”
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Drink driving can lead to penalties including an unlimited fine, driving ban, and time in prison (Image: Getty)
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the law states that drivers cannot get behind the wheel after consuming over three or five units of alcohol, such as two shots of spirits or a can of beer or cider.
However, since the amount of blood a person has depends on a variety of factors, some people could stray over the limit after drinking signficantly less, putting them at risk of dangerous driving.
Those caught exceeding the drink driving limit could face a wide range of penalties, including an unlimited fine, up to six months in prison, and a driving ban of at least one year.
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Driving over the limit also drastically increases a motorist’s chances of accidents (Image: Getty)
In order to avoid these consequences, drivers who are attending a get-together with loved ones over Christmas and know that they will be drinking should leave their vehicle at home and walk or use public transport instead.
Alternatively, those going in a group could nominate a designated driver to take others home without raising the risk of accidents.
To encourage more designated drivers, some police forces, such as South Wales Police and Devon & Cornwall, are offering free soft drinks to anyone who can give loved ones a lift home instead.
Similarly, Richard also warned motorists that they should avoid driving the following morning, stating that alcohol often stays in the blood for a surprisingly long time.
He continued: “Once alcohol has been consumed, there isn’t a way of speeding up the process for it to leave your system.
“Even when you may feel like you have ‘sobered up’ by having a shower or a glass of water, the alcohol will still be in your system and can still impair your ability to drive.”