What's current drink drive limit?
22 November 2009, 09:52 PM
#4
35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood
107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine
80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood
107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine
Doesnt affect me anyway as i wont touch a drop if driving.
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22 November 2009, 10:22 PM
#8
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a pint of 4% is 2 units, 5% is 2.8 units. i takes an hour for the average body to absorb 1 unit of alcohol, and an hour to process and remove it. 2 pints of 4% lager would give the average man a blood alcohol content of 60mg per 100 ml (limit is 80mg per 100ml of blood).
so if you necked a pint, it would take an hour to absorb all the alcohol, and a further 2 hours to remove it from the body.
so, if you must drink, then (4 units) 2 pints or (3 units) 1.5 pints for a woman, of average strength beer or lager 4% drank quickly would put you below the limit if you are average, some people would go over the limit, some people would be way under the limit. it's a bit of a gamble really, and for me the odds are too great.
more worryingly is a night out, if you are driving at 8am the next day, and finish drinking by 11.30pm the night before, then 10units is the safe limit.
so if you necked a pint, it would take an hour to absorb all the alcohol, and a further 2 hours to remove it from the body.
so, if you must drink, then (4 units) 2 pints or (3 units) 1.5 pints for a woman, of average strength beer or lager 4% drank quickly would put you below the limit if you are average, some people would go over the limit, some people would be way under the limit. it's a bit of a gamble really, and for me the odds are too great.
more worryingly is a night out, if you are driving at 8am the next day, and finish drinking by 11.30pm the night before, then 10units is the safe limit.
Last edited by gallois; 22 November 2009 at 10:23 PM.
22 November 2009, 10:41 PM
#10
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It hasn't been reduced, but there's serious talk about it being reduced in Ireland to 50mg from 80mg.
22 November 2009, 11:18 PM
#11
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They deliberately don't say what they think you can drive and be safe. As the advice they give is don't drink at all. Personally I don't agree with that stance as its best to give people the best information you can.
Its kind of like posting a speed limit in dog lengths per second while making your speedos in miles per hour. That way you'll go really slow so that you don't go over the limit you cannot tell you are anywhere near
Its kind of like posting a speed limit in dog lengths per second while making your speedos in miles per hour. That way you'll go really slow so that you don't go over the limit you cannot tell you are anywhere near
22 November 2009, 11:35 PM
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the reason they won't clearly say that 2pints is your limit is because people will then think that 2 pints of any strength lager is ok, but due to different metabolisms it may not be.
the advice has to be, don't allow your blood to contain more than 80mg per 100ml if you are going to drive.. which is 2 or 3 pints or more or less.....that alone has a huge margin for error, take into account time and metabolism rates and it is simply not accurately calculable.
or to put it another way, and using the speeding analogy. you wouldn't guess how fast you are driving by the amount of fuel you are using. even though for arguments sake a 'rule of thumb' states that in top gear, 70mph is 2 gallons per hour in the average car. different cars will use more fuel or less fuel
the advice has to be, don't allow your blood to contain more than 80mg per 100ml if you are going to drive.. which is 2 or 3 pints or more or less.....that alone has a huge margin for error, take into account time and metabolism rates and it is simply not accurately calculable.
or to put it another way, and using the speeding analogy. you wouldn't guess how fast you are driving by the amount of fuel you are using. even though for arguments sake a 'rule of thumb' states that in top gear, 70mph is 2 gallons per hour in the average car. different cars will use more fuel or less fuel
23 November 2009, 12:51 AM
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Can understand the pints thing but why not say the limit is x units of alcohol? Would be easier for most folk to understand then ...
TX.
TX.
23 November 2009, 07:59 AM
#17
They deliberately don't say what they think you can drive and be safe. As the advice they give is don't drink at all. Personally I don't agree with that stance as its best to give people the best information you can.
Its kind of like posting a speed limit in dog lengths per second while making your speedos in miles per hour. That way you'll go really slow so that you don't go over the limit you cannot tell you are anywhere near
Its kind of like posting a speed limit in dog lengths per second while making your speedos in miles per hour. That way you'll go really slow so that you don't go over the limit you cannot tell you are anywhere near
However, another approach would be to say, how much alcohol do you think it is OK to have in your blood if you are going to operate dangerous machinery?
23 November 2009, 10:14 AM
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It has always been those limits since it was started as far as I know.
When you think about it, is it really worth risking getting caught over the limit? Is it worth the large fine, losing your licence, and getting overcharged for insurance?
Les
When you think about it, is it really worth risking getting caught over the limit? Is it worth the large fine, losing your licence, and getting overcharged for insurance?
Les
23 November 2009, 11:23 AM
#19
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Also, the amount of 'units' in drinks has been changed. See The Devil's Kitchen: Five myths about alcohol and particularly myth 1 for some *enlightening* info.
But back the original question, just drink nowt before driving.
Dave
23 November 2009, 02:50 PM
#22
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23 November 2009, 04:34 PM
#23
I don't think it will ever be reduced below a decent glass of wine.
In terms of units, it means that someone can walk into a bar, neck 3 shots and get in the car. Driving would be impaired IMHO.
I would want to see more US style roadside tests, as you could be under and still not be fit to drive.
In terms of units, it means that someone can walk into a bar, neck 3 shots and get in the car. Driving would be impaired IMHO.
I would want to see more US style roadside tests, as you could be under and still not be fit to drive.
23 November 2009, 10:13 PM
#27
There are so many variables, it's impossible to say. Age, weight, fitness, hydration levels,tiredness, metabolism, food consumption in previous 24hrs, alcohol consumption in last 24 hours, how regulararly you drink etc.
Pub strength lager has risen in strength in the past decade too. Wnen I were a lad Wrexham lager weighed in at 3%. Most pubs start at 4% these days.
Pub strength lager has risen in strength in the past decade too. Wnen I were a lad Wrexham lager weighed in at 3%. Most pubs start at 4% these days.
23 November 2009, 11:17 PM
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24 November 2009, 08:42 AM
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Isn't it about time a breathaliser was available to buy? I like my nights out, its the morning after I'm wary about. Would be nice to know weather you are legal or not.