Most popular tricks motorists use to try cover up drink-driving – but they DON’T work
WITH office Christmas party season on the horizon, Brits need to be aware of just how "jolly" they're getting if they plan on driving home.
Drink-driving peaks during the festive season and despite harsh penalties a number of motorists are still taking the risk.
Research conducted by First4Lawyers found 29 per cent of motorists admitted to drink-driving, and many confessed to employing a range of tactics they thought would reduce their chances of being caught.
More than a third said they could drink-drive if they stuck to the speed limit to avoid being pulled over, while 16 per cent thought driving down back roads was the best way to avoid being caught.
Unfortunately for dodgy road users, these won't work as police are able to conduct random breath tests at any time - even if you're sticking to all other road laws.
And cops will run extra patrols to catch dangerous drink-drivers in the run up to Christmas.
Most popular tricks that drink-drivers try - but they DON'T work
- Chewing gum to reduce the smell of alcohol
- Driving down back roads to avoid being caught
- Eating a heavy meal after drinking in hope that it soaks up the alcohol
- Spraying perfume/aftershave to get rid of the alcohol smell while driving
- Drinking coffee in hope that it sobers them up
- Making themselves sick to try and get the alcohol out of their system before driving
- Sucking on a slice of lemon or putting a penny under your tongue to try fool the breathalyser
Other motorists thought consuming food or drinking coffee would help soak up the alcohol and sober them up.
While this tactic may make the driver feel better, the alcohol will already be in their system, meaning driving ability will be impaired regardless.
Unwitting Brits thought they could fool police simply by removing the smell of alcohol on their breath.
One in 10 thought chewing gum would help them and five per cent felt spraying perfume would have the same effect - but both are unlikely to fool an experienced traffic cop.
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? How many units of alcohol can you have legally in the UK?
Some motorists even believed obscure myths like sucking on a slice of lemon or putting a penny under their tongue would help fool the breathalyser - but this is simply not true.
Finally, just two per cent of drink-drivers thought making themselves vomit would get rid of the alcohol, but by the time alcohol reaches your stomach, your body has well and truly absorbed it into the blood.
The alcohol limit for England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, while drivers in Scotland are allowed just 22 micrograms for the same reading.
And while there is no certain way of measuring exactly how many drinks this equals, drivers can be certain that no matter what tricks they try to reduce their alcohol reading, nothing but time will work.
Drivers risk up to six months imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a lengthy driving ban as a maximum penalty if they are caught driving while above the legal limit.
Drunk drivers that cause a death while behind the wheel could face a life sentence.
the road laws you need to know
Andrew Cullwick, spokesman for First4Lawyers, said: "Many drivers believe they are above the law, despite the danger they pose to themselves and other drivers by breaking the rules of the road.
"Bar staff, pub owners and the general public are also encouraged to report drink-drivers, meaning that despite actions to avoid the police, drink-drivers may have already been caught before they know it."
Earlier this year, road safety charities called for the drink-driving limit to be slashed by three quarters following a rise in casualty rates.
If the tougher regulations came into force, drivers would only be allowed less than half a standard drink to stay under the legal limit.