Is drink driving worth the risk?
Posted by Susannah Mayers
Amongst all of the fun and games going on over Christmas and New Year, a festive period could easily be ruined should you decide to drink and drive.
In fact, new research by MoneySupermarket.com has revealed that motorists who are caught flouting the law in this way will likely feel the pain in their pockets in the long term.
The comparison website highlighted that those with a drink driving conviction recorded onto their driving license could see their car insurance premiums typically increase from £424 per year to a hefty £784.
In effect, one breaking in the law could result in motorists paying 85 per cent more money for their car insurance for quite a few years to come.
Peter Harrison, insurance spokesperson at MoneySupermarket.com, pointed out that this will sit on top of a fine of up to £1,000, a 12-month ban from driving and possibly even a prison sentence.
Therefore, he stated: "Ensuring you have adequate travel arrangements in place to get you home is essential as driving while under the influence should not be an option in any circumstances. Not only does it put the safety of the driver and passengers at risk, but endangers other road users and pedestrians."
Even if you stay under the drink drive limit, Mr Harrison believes that the risk of getting behind the wheel may not be worth it in the long run.
This is because "any alcohol consumed can impact reaction times, and can also impair coordination and judgement potentially making you a danger on the roads", the expert pointed out.
Motorists should be aware that the current drink drive limit in the UK currently stands at 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
Furthermore, you should remember that a night out where a lot of alcohol is consumed will mean that you are likely to be well over the limit come the next morning.
