DRINK DRIVING - THE CONSEQUENCES

Someone found guilty of driving whilst over the drink or drug drive limit, or who was unfit through drink or drugs, including legal drugs in their system, could face an unlimited fine, a driving ban, a community service order or even a prison sentence. What's more, if a passenger in that driver's car was found guilty in a court of law of 'aiding and abetting', they could receive the same penalty as the driver, including being sent to prison and a disqualification from driving.

However, the highest price to pay is being involved in a driver impaired collision that harms passengers, other road users and pedestrians. Latest Department for Transport figures show fatalities from drink-drive crashes are at a 12-year high. An estimated 260 people were killed in collisions on Britain's roads involving a driver over the alcohol limit in 2021 - the highest annual total since 2009.

Someone who has just 10mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood - well within the legal limit of 80mg alcohol per 100ml in England and Wales and 50mg in Scotland - is 46% more likely to be at fault in road collisions. 50-80mg per 100ml multiplies a driver's chance of being involved in a fatal collis...