GMP issue warning to prevent road users drink or drug driving for New Year celebrations
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Greater Manchester Police (GMP) want everyone to enjoy the new year celebrations this weekend. If you are going out this evening or during new year celebrations and you know you’ll be drinking alcohol there are somethings, you should consider before beginning any celebrations.
Plan your journey ahead to get home safely:
- Ask a friend or family member who has not been drinking to collect you
- Book or pre-book a taxi
- Use public transport to get home safely
Think before you get in the car – are you or the person driving safe to do so? Your decision can have a lasting impact on more than just your life.
If you went out last night, you could still be over the drink drive limit this morning - Any amount of alcohol or drugs in your system can affect your judgement or ability to drive safe, so make sure you allow enough time before getting behind the wheel.
By driving under the influence, you could be putting yourself and innocent members of the public at risk.
Drink driving limits and penalties
There are strict alcohol limits for drivers, but it’s impossible to say exactly how many drinks this equal’s - it’s different for each person.
The way alcohol affects you depends on:
- your weight, age, sex, and metabolism (the rate your body uses energy)
- the type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking
- what you’ve eaten recently
- your stress levels at the time
Read more on drink drive limits in the UK
There are strict drink driving penalties if you are caught over the limit. You could be imprisoned, banned from driving, and face a fine if you’re found guilty of drink-driving.
Read more here drink driving penalties in the UK
Drug driving penalties
Legal drugs are prescription or over-the-counter medicines. If you’re taking them and not sure if you should drive, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional.
Read more here on drug driving penalties
Report drink or drug driving
If you are concerned someone is going to drink or drug drive, report it immediately by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively, you can report any information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.