The Festive Season. A time to sit back, relax and unwind with a cold drink in hand and some delicious food nearby. Unfortunately, the Festive Season is known to dramatically increase the number of drink drivers on the road.
People frequently rely on drink-driving myths in the hope that these will keep them safe from drink-driving charges, and therefore these are our top 5 Myths to help you this Festive Season.
Myth #1 – You can use your bicycle to get home after a few drinks.
A common misconception is that if you’re going to be caught for drink driving, you’re going to be in a car, in Queensland this is not the case.
The Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act says that in addition to cars and motorbikes, you could be charged with drink driving in a train, boat, and any other type of motorised transport that moves on wheels. The Act doesn’t stop there it goes on to say that you can also be charged with drink driving a horse, or another animal as well as any motorised or non-motorised vehicles such as a pushbike, electric scooter, scooter, or mo-ped. The lesson to be learned here is that if you need to go somewhere after a few drinks, it’s better to have someone else drive you.
Myth #2 – I have had one drink per hour so I must be fine.
Unfortunately counting your drinks is an unreliable way to keep yourself under the legal alcohol limit for driving.
The rate in which the body absorbs alcohol varies from person to person depending on a variety of factors such as age, food intake, gender, metabolism, body weight, medication, and genetics.
Many people count their drinks by the glass, without actually realising the alcohol content that they’ve been drinking. With all of these factors at play, it’s impossible to really know if your one drink an hour will keep you below the legal limit.
Myth #3 – I am safe to drive, I stopped drinking last night and I feel fine.
A greasy meal, a nap, a strong coffee, and a shower, you should be fine right? Unfortunately not.
More often than not, the symptoms of a hangover can be confused with still being over the legal alcohol limit. As we have stated above, there are many factors that come into play in relation to how your body can process alcohol, and while you may feel fine you may very well still be over the legal alcohol limit. It is always best to avoid driving the next day.
Myth #4 – You can sleep in your car after a few drinks
Most people assume sleeping in their car after a few drinks is a safe option however this isn’t the case. If you are found sleeping in your car whilst over the legal alcohol limit you are deemed responsible for the car and can be charged with being in charge of the vehicle. Our advise, grab a lift when you can and leave your car at home.
Myth #5 – You know a trick to cover up your blood alcohol level or avoid the breath test.
There are a few Myths about tricks to avoid a breath test such as having breath mints, using mouthwash, or sucking on a coin. None of these actually work. If you get caught drink driving, its unlikely you’re going to get out of it.
At the end of the day, drinking any amount and driving is a risky game to play. Our advice is to plan an alternative way to or from the venue or opt to be the designated driver for the day.