
Fifth of motorists have drunk alcohol after 10pm ahead of morning drive
Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, which commissioned the poll, warned that drinking alcohol the night before getting behind the wheel can pose a 'serious threat' because a 'groggy head' means slower reaction times.
The survey of 1,072 UK motorists also indicated that 38% of people who have consumed several alcoholic drinks ahead of driving before 9am stopped drinking after 9pm.
Charity Drinkaware states that alcohol is removed from the body at a rate of one unit per hour, although this varies depending on a person's weight, liver health and metabolism speed.
Around three large glasses of wine or three pints of high-strength beer or cider is the equivalent of nine units.
Someone consuming those drinks up to 10pm could still have alcohol in their body at 7am or later, IAM RoadSmart warned.
Nicholas Lyes, the charity's director of policy and standards, said: 'Drink-driving is a killer, and drivers may be unwittingly getting into their vehicle in the morning unaware that they could be doing so illegally if they have been drinking alcohol the night before, posing a serious threat to the safety of others.
'Even if they are just inside the legal limit, the level of alcohol in their system will impair their reaction times.
'Moreover, consuming alcohol impacts on sleep quality.'
Chief Constable Jo Shiner, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for roads policing, said: 'There is simply no excuse for getting behind the wheel when you are impaired through drink or drugs, and this includes the morning after.
'If you choose to do so you are putting your life and the lives of others at risk.'
The survey also suggested nearly a third (31%) of drivers in the previous 12 months had been with a friend or relative who drank alcohol before getting into a vehicle.
Some 72% of this group warned them they should not drive, while 23% said they took no action.
Four out of five (81%) people polled said rehabilitation courses should become mandatory for anyone convicted of a drink-drive offence.
Currently the courses are sometimes offered in return for a shorter driving ban.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency statistics previously obtained by the PA news agency revealed 27,837 British motorists were convicted of drink-driving multiple times in the 11 years to July 20 2024.
Some 372 were caught at least four times, including four who were prosecuted on seven occasions.
Latest Department for Transport (DfT) figures show an estimated 300 people were killed in crashes on Britain's roads involving at least one driver over the legal alcohol limit in 2022.
That was up from 260 the previous year and was the highest total since 2009 when 380 deaths were recorded.
Separate figures show there are more drink drive-related casualties in July than any other month of the year.
The Scottish Government reduced its limit to 50g/100ml in 2014.
The drink-drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.
A DfT spokesperson said: 'We take road safety extremely seriously, and there are already strict penalties in place for those who are caught drink-driving, with rehabilitation courses offered to those convicted and banned from driving for over a year.
'While we don't have plans to mandate these courses, we are committed to improving road safety, and our Think! campaign will next week launch its summer drink-drive activity, timed to coincide with the National Police Chiefs' Council's Operation Spotlight.'
– IAM RoadSmart commissioned research company Online95 to conduct the survey of 1,072 UK motorists last month.
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
American in UK visits impressive service station that's 'like a theme park'
An American woman has said she's finally come to understand why Brits have a favourite service station after visiting a Welcome Break in the UK she compared to a theme park UK service stations are typically quite basic, offering a couple of eateries, a shop and toilets for travellers in need of a rest on the motorway. However, one Welcome Break UK services is drawing visitors from far and wide. An American woman was left astounded after her recent visit at the Yorkshire service station, describing it as "exquisite". Situated of the M1J33 near Rotherham, the service station boasts an array of popular chains such as Starbucks, Pret A Manger, Burger King, Chopstix, The Good Breakfast, KFC, Waitrose, and WHSmith. Not only does it offer top-notch facilities and a variety of dining options, but the service area - which opened its doors in January this year - also provides 458 parking spaces for various types of vehicles. Plus, it has resulted in the creation of around 230 new jobs. Iniki, an American woman who relocated from Florida - a state known for its large 'petrol stations' - hailed the Rotherham Welcome Break as "the nicest UK service station." In a recent TikTok post, Iniki said: "I think I finally understand when Brits say they have a favourite service station because this service station was exquisite. This is a brand new Welcome Break in Rotherham and I was thoroughly impressed." The woman, who is married to a British man, likened it to "kind of looks like a little town" and said it reminded her of Universal Studios. She described her experience as akin to "a walk in the park." The American was also impressed by the variety of dining choices, gaming section and children's play area. "So yeah, I never understood the hype about service stations until now," she added. One person remarked: "As someone who was born in Rotherham, it's strange hearing an American say it haha. Driven past this service station many times but never been in. Looks nice!". One declared it's "probably the best thing" in Rotherham. "Nicest place in Rotherham," chimed in another. "Wow, it's really nice," noted someone else. A further user commented: "I love a good service station. It's kind of like you're going on holiday, slight airport vibes without the planes or security."


Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
First look at Donald Trump's armoured golf buggy on Turnberry course with Secret Service snipers watching on
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DONALD Trump took to his five-star golf course just over a year after he survived an assassination attempt - and was followed by an armour-plated buggy. The US president, 79, was trailed by the reinforced all-black cart which can reach speeds of up to 65mph as he played a round at Turnberry in Ayrshire. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Donald Trump is enjoying a round at Turnberry during his visit to Scotland Credit: Reuters 5 The £20,000 cart can hit speeds of 65mph and has been adapted with toughened windows, reinforced panels Credit: TOM FARMER 5 The armoured cart and 26 others followed Trump around the course Credit: Robert Perry/PA Wire He was watched by Secret Service agents and snipers 12 months after he was shot in the ear at a rally. The fortified £20,000 Polaris has been fitted with hardened tinted windows and side panels. A source told The Scottish Sun: 'Trump was zipping between holes on a regular cart with this huge thing following behind. 'His bodyguards were staying close and were ready to zoom off if he had to dive in. 'The cart is an amazing bit of kit. 'It has massive chunky tyres, what looked like a winch on the front and even has space at the back for his clubs. 'Americans love their motors and Trump seems no different — this thing was bigger than some of the compact cars you see on the road here.' The visiting leader took to the historic course yesterday after jetting in the evening before. He is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, First Minister John Swinney and tour his Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire. He was back out for another round this morning against middle son Eric, 41, as eldest lad Don Jr, 47, and his wife Vanessa, 47, watched on. First look at Donald Trump's armoured motorcade 'the Beast' as President whisked off to Turnberry Trump blew kisses to a handful of supporters who yelled 'we love you' as he teed off for the second time during his five-day trip to Scotland. He wore a white USA baseball cap and black jacket and drove between holes in a white buggy — while followed by the armoured cart and 26 others. The president is expected to meet with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen today, with discussions with Mr Starmer and Mr Swinney due to take place before he flies home on Tuesday. A US government spokesman said: 'The US Secret Service employs a variety of tools and resources to safeguard our protectees. 'In order to maintain operational security, the Secret Service does not discuss the specific means and methods used to conduct our protective operations.' 5 Marksman teams have been deployed to keep the area secure Credit: Getty 5 British soldiers and cops have been deployed alongside US Secret Service agents to protect the visiting president Protection teams are on high alert after Trump was left wounded when a would-be assassins bullet nicked his ear as he spoke at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July last year. Shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired off eight shots from an assault rifle before he was taken out. The American commander and chief escaped a second attempt on his life just two months later when an armed man was discovered hiding in bushes at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach in Florida. Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, was arrested and is expected to go on trial later this year accused of trying to murder the then presidential election candidate.


Time Out
13 hours ago
- Time Out
Formula E London ePrix
The world's first fully electric motorsport series returns to London this weekend for the final round of competition in the 2024/25 series. The single-seater series sees eleven top teams and 22 world-class drivers competing over a 2km indoor and outdoor circuit at the ExCeL Centre in the closing weekend of the eleventh championship. The London races will be something of a victory lap for British Oliver Rowland, who secured the Driver World Championship in the previous round of competition. His team, Nissan, will be hoping to secure more silverware in the Manufacturer Championship, where they currently trail behind Porsche. Timings for both days will be roughly the same, with two practice sessions and a qualifying round ahead of the races, which kick of at 5.05pm. There'll also plenty to get the fans revved up between sessions, including a live recording of the Driven By Us podcast, a quiz in the Fan Zone and live performances from Pixie Lott and Rizzle Kicks. Start your engines!