Drink driving: UK police send warning after increase in arrests
Motorists could lose their driving licence minutes after getting off a plane due to a simple driving law, according to experts.
Specialists at USwitch Temporary Car Insurance have warned dozens of road users could be pulled up for drink driving offences after landing.
A new poll from the insurance experts has revealed almost two-thirds (63 percent) of respondents wouldn’t wait until they felt sober to drive home.
Worryingly, the survey shows that one in five people are unaware of the time it takes for alcohol to leave their system.
Meanwhile, 18 percent don’t consider alcohol consumption when deciding whether or not to drive.
READ MORE Traffic cameras making £1million in fines across UK unveiled
With alcohol available on most flights and drivers still in the holiday mood, the circumstances are likely to create a perfect storm.
A staggering 60 percent of adult Britons who have travelled by air have encountered drunk passengers. According to the poll, 51 percent believe there is a serious problem with excessive alcohol consumption during air travel.
USwitch expert Leoni Moninksa explained: “The summer holidays are a time for relaxation and fun, but it’s important to remember that drinking and driving is not just a dangerous idea, it’s also illegal and could lead you to losing your licence.
“We urge all travellers to prioritise their safety and the well-being of others by making responsible decisions when travelling on a plane.
DON’T MISS
Drivers could lose up to £70,000 by making a simple driving error this summer[LATEST]
Drivers may be hit with £5,000 fine for wearing sunglasses[ANALYSIS]
‘I’m a driving instructor – Parents can break the law helping their children'[COMMENT]
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
“If you do drink, consider asking a sober friend or travelling companion to drive you from the airport using Temporary Car Insurance, which is a quick and easy solution to ensuring a successful end to your holiday with you and your car getting home safely.”
However, motorists are likely to feel the effects of alcohol long before they get behind the wheel. Dr Clare Morrison, from online doctor’s service MedExpress, explains tourists are more likely to feel more drunk on a plane than on land.
Studies have shown that drinking at altitude does not affect the concentration of alcohol in your blood any more than on the ground.
Instead, this feeling is to do with the oxygen levels inside the cabin during a flight.
Morrison said: “When on a plane, the barometric pressure in the cabin of a plane is lower than it normally is, lowering the amount of oxygen you absorb into your blood.
“The lower level of oxygen in your blood means that you may seem more drunk in the air than you would on the ground after consuming the same amount of alcohol.”
Source: Read Full Article