[Drivingforfun]

I'm not asking for myself - promise

I'm just asking out of curiosity after seeing someone doing this earlier today

Is it legal to drink alcohol while driving?

I assumed that, as long as you aren't over the limit, it's no different to drinking from a bottle of water or can of pop? I'm not aware of a law explicitly forbidding drinking alcohol while at the wheel

Thanks!

[TC1474]

@Drivingforfun

It is not illegal to drink whilst driving, and that includes alcohol as it is the amount of alcohol in the blood that becomes an issue and every driver reacts differently as the way the body disperses alcohol differs, but there is a caveat other than the excess alcohol debate..

Drinking a non alcoholic drink in not an offence per se, same as alcohol, however, (and I have reported drivers for the offence) a driver can be reported for failing to maintain proper control of his/her vehicle, and if a crash were to occur or the driver was distracted whilst drinking, then they could easily end up be reported for the more serious offences of careless or dangerous driving.

By taking a drink of any sort whilst behind the wheel opens up all sorts of issues which could be costly in more ways than one.

[Mark07]

I vaguely remember a story of a driver who was fined for taking a sip of a soft drink whilst stopped at traffic lights.

I suspect there was more to it than that, but it's a story that always stuck in my mind.

[TC1474]

Originally Posted by Mark07

I vaguely remember a story of a driver who was fined for taking a sip of a soft drink whilst stopped at traffic lights.

I suspect there was more to it than that, but it's a story that always stuck in my mind.

It is more common than you think and not just drinking but eating as well.

[Mark07]

As we approach the festive/party season, visibility is reduced as nights draw in, road conditions become slippery and there's often more traffic.

With all that in mind, it's even more important not to drive under the influence - THINK! have launched their latest campaign to reinforce that message.

Alcohol free drinks are more popular and prevalent than ever before, so if we're driving to parties or events, enjoy the celebrations without alcohol.

[Rolebama]

Over the years I have been hit by drunk drivers three times. Two cars written off. All happened because they did not stop, or appear to have tried to stop, at a junction where they were joining the road I was already travelling. Two were at crossroads where they thought they had right of way to go straight across - they didn't. The third was when a driver thought his road went straight across, it was a T junction where I was already there. All three slammed into my car on driver's side.

[TC1474]

This might make a few of you chuckle.

Back in the day, the Xmas drink driving ads were filmed using real traffic crews but actors playing the part of the drink drivers. My force, and in particular me and my crewmate were the chosen crew and instructed to work with the film crews which meant working a night shift as it was easier to film in the early hours when the roads were empty.

So, for about 4 nights, we were filmed travelling up and down a particular road with blue lights on the go (No two tones or sirens for obvious reasons) and then we were filmed administering a breath test to an actor who was playing the part of a drink driver who had been involved in a crash.

It took several takes from various angles to get the final footage and when done everyone went away rejoicing.

We were not allowed to accept cash or financial rewards back then but the film crew insisted on giving us something for our troubles. Guess what it was?

A case of whisky each 🙄 So 2 senior traffic cops filming an anti drink driving advert for national TV were given a case f whisky each which was not bad considering I had been teetotal for about 3 or 4 years by that stage.

But it made Xmas shopping dead easy, and it was easy for about 3 years as we got the same thank you every time we filmed the new ad.

Is that what is considered irony? 😉

[NMNeil]

A bit over the top perhaps?
https://www.foxla.com/news/deadly-police-shooting-brea