Don't drink or drug drive
If you drink or take drugs and drive this festive season, you could ruin lives. You stand a very good chance of being stopped, arrested and finding yourself in the back of a police car - or worse, in an ambulance or hearse.
Who is taking you home tonight?
Over the festive season, driving or accepting a lift from a driver who is under the influence could end in tragedy, so plan ahead and find a safe way to travel such a bus, train or taxi.
If you drive under the influence of drink or drugs you put your safety, and the safety of your passengers and other road users, at risk. You could also be stopped and lose your licence.
Liverpool City Council is the only local authority in Merseyside which carries out random drug testing on taxi drivers.
Know your limits
There are strict alcohol limits for drivers, but it’s impossible to say exactly how many drinks this equals because it’s different for each person.
The way alcohol affects you depends on:
- your weight, age, sex and metabolism
- the type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking
- what you’ve eaten recently
- your stress levels at the time
Know the penalties
Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit could result in:
- six months’ imprisonment
- an unlimited fine
- a driving ban for at least one year, rising to three years if it's your second offence in a 10-year period
A conviction for drink driving also means:
- your car insurance costs will increase significantly
- if you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction on your licence
- you may have trouble travelling to countries like the USA
Know the facts
Over the past three years, 125 collisions in Liverpool were related to drink or drug driving. 61% of these collisions involved alcohol, 39% were drug-related.
In the first three quarters of 2024, 511 drivers have been arrested in Liverpool for drink and or drug driving offences.