Drink
Alcohol affects your ability to drive safely by:
- Slowing your reactions
- Reducing your field of vision
- Making it harder to judge speed and distance.
How much you can drink and stay under the drink drive limit depends on a range of factors. The only safe option is not to drink if you are going to drive. And remember that you may still be over the limit the morning after.
In 2005 the Police conducted 607,000 breath tests in the UK and more than 100,000 people were caught drink or drug driving.
Get caught drink driving and you face:
- A minimum 12 month driving ban
- A criminal record
- A fine of up to £5,000
- Up to 6 months in prison
- Losing your job and with a criminal record, finding it hard to get another.
Cannabis
Cannabis is a relaxant and can affect your ability to drive safely. It causes:
- Slower reaction times and sleepiness
- Distorted perception, reduced concentration and forgetfulness
- Impaired coordination and blurred vision.
The most intense affects last at least 2-4 hours.
Combining cannabis with even a small amount of alcohol will magnify the affects.
Get caught drug driving and you face:
- A minimum 12 month driving ban
- A criminal record
- A fine of up to £5,000
- Up to 6 months in prison
Cocaine
Cocaine is a stimulant of the mind and affects your ability to drive safely. It causes:
- Over confidence leading to increased risk taking
- Distorted perception
- Erratic behaviour and paranoia
- Enlarged pupils
- Auditory hallucinations.
Cocaine may make you fell very alert for about an hour. During this time you may react inappropriately. As the effect wears off the danger of falling asleep at the wheel is high.
Combining cocaine with alcohol or other drugs can produce unexpected and dangerous effects.
Get caught drug driving and you face:
- A minimum 12 month driving ban
- A criminal record
- A fine of up to £5,000
- Up to 6 months in prison
Get convicted of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs and you face a 10 year prison sentence.