Drivers risk £2.5k fine for standing next to car after drinking this Christmas

2022-12-21

Christmas is right around the corner.

And with the festivities in full force, many Brits will be out drinking the season away.

But although it's a merry time of the year, drivers must be wary of simple rules on the road.

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That's because standing next to your car while over the drinking limit can result in a £2,500 fine.

If you're over the legal alcohol limit you could also risk three months imprisonment and even a driving ban.

The law states Brits could be charged with drink drinking without having been behind the wheel.

If there was an intention to drive, like standing next to the car, or being inside it, can land you in hot water.

Other reasons include:

Having the keys in the ignition
Having a reason to drive, such as needing to be at work or having a booked appointment

If you're over the limit, you shouldn't go anywhere as it's illegal.

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It comes as one in four Brits could unknowingly break the law by drinking and then driving this Christmas.

Vanarama also surveyed 1,000 Brits on their drink driving knowledge.

It found 22.6% wrongly believe a glass of bubbly with food wouldn't have an effect on their ability behind the wheel.

Meanwhile, almost a third of UK motorists are unaware that driving after two small glasses of wine is illegal.

It takes your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) beyond the England, Wales and Northern Ireland limit of 0.08%.

How long you wait to drive depends on the tipple of choice, for example:

A large glass of wine – 5 hours
Sex on the beach cocktail – 4 hours
Double vodka – 4 hours
Pint of cider – 4 hours
Long island iced tea – 3.5 hours
Pint of lager – 3.5 hours
Pina colada – 3 hours
A standard glass of champagne – 2.5 hours
Single gin – 2.5 hours

Affecting reaction times, coordination, vision and even our judgement, alcohol is best served without driving.

According to the independent charity Drinkaware, even drivers with a BAC of less than 0.05% (roughly one and a bit pints of lager) have a three-times risk of dying in a vehicle crash.

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