Are you safe to drive the 'Morning After"?

According to the Department of Transport's THINK! campaign, you could be over the legal limit many hours after your last drink, even if it's the 'morning after'.
Sleep, coffee and cold showers don't help to sober you up - time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system.

It takes a lot longer than most people think for alcohol to pass through the body.
On average it takes around one hour per unit of alcohol, though this can vary depending on a number of factors.

Because of this, there is a real risk that people who would not dream of driving after drinking may still be unwittingly over the drink drive limit the morning after.

This includes people going about everyday activities such as driving to work, doing the school run, popping to the shops or going to see friends.

According to THINK! approximately 5,500 people fail a breath test in the morning each year.

If you are planning to drink alcohol, plan how to get home without driving.

• Agree on a designated driver
• Save a taxi number to your phone
• Download an Uber app
• Find ou about public transport routes and running times before you go out

For more information visit the following links:
http://think.direct.gov.uk/index.html
http://morning-after.org.uk/?page_id=82

The Good Garage Scheme would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year, with thanks THINK! for sharing this advice and information.

THINK! before you Drink & Drive

According to THINK!, the campaign run by the Department for Transport, in the last 30 years road casualties caused by drink driving have fallen dramatically. In 2011, however, there were still 230 deaths due to drink driving – accounting for 12% of all road fatalities. By drinking and driving, you risk your life, those of your passengers and others on the road.

Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. You risk a fine of up to £5,000, a minimum 12-month driving ban and a criminal record.

This year THINK! warns motorists of the dangers of driving the "morning after". Contrary to what a lot of people believe, sleep and coffee do not always sober you up after a night of drinking.

It takes a lot longer than most people think for alcohol to pass through the body.
On average it takes around one hour per unit of alcohol, though this can vary depending on weight, build, and gender.

Because of this, there is a real risk that people who would not dream of driving after drinking may still be unwittingly over the drink-drive limit the morning after.

This includes people going about everyday activities such as driving to work, doing the school run, popping to the shops or to see friends.


Here are a couple of facts about drink driving and the ‘morning after’:
• In 2012, 290 people were killed in drink-drive accidents in Great Britain (17% of all reported road fatalities), an increase of around a quarter compared with 2011 (DfT provisional figures).

• In 2011 more people failed breath tests between the hours of 6 am and 11 am than during the hour before or after midnight (ACPO).

We're not saying 'don't drink', but we are saying 'don't drink anything if you are driving' and 'don't drink heavily if you have to drive the following morning'.

Use our 'morning after calculator' to see how long it takes for alcohol to pass through the body.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to wish everyone a safe holiday season. Don't forget to charge your phone and download the Good Garage Scheme's free app before you travel in case you need to contact a garage.

Don't Drink and Drive this Christmas - It's not worth the risk

The Good Garage Scheme hopes that everyone will enjoy the holiday season and remain safe on the roads. Whether you are driving to a party or hosting one, make sure everyone driving is safe to do so.

According to the THINK! campaign run by the Department for Transport,  250 people died in 2010 due to drink driving.  A person who drives after an alcoholic drink not only risks their own life, but those of the passengers and others on the road.

Any amount of alcohol affects an ability to drive and there is also risk a fine of up to £5,000, a minimum 12-month driving ban and a criminal record. The best way to remain safe is not to drink and drive.

 If you're planning to drink alcohol, plan how to get home without driving:

•    Agree on a designated driver
•    Save a taxi number on your phone
•    Find out about public transport routes and times before you go out

Time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system.

Make sure you are completely sober before you get behind the wheel. You could be over the legal limit many hours after your last drink, even if it's the 'morning after'. Sleep, coffee and cold showers don't help to sober you up.

Download the Good Garage Scheme App for peace of mind wherever you travel this Christmas. http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/phone_app