One of the most important lessons taught to every learner driver is to avoid drinking alcohol completely if you are planning to drive. This fundamental rule and its dangers are repeated over and over by a combination of parents, driving instructors, and emergency services. Unfortunately, this does not deter everyone from driving while under the influence of alcohol.
We are here to provide you with some cold, hard drink-driving facts and 6 reasons why you should never drink and get behind the wheel:
1. It’s deadly
Thousands of people have died or were injured in accidents where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit in recent years. This isn’t just about drivers; pedestrians and other road users are at just as much risk as those inside the car. No convenience is worth losing lives for.
2. You will be punished
The penalties for driving over the drink-drive limit are serious (as they should be). If you drive under the influence, you could face:
- A $1000 fine for first-time offenders.
- A year-long driving suspension followed by one year of only being allowed to drive a vehicle equipped with an Interlock device.
- Huge legal costs, impound fees, and costs associated with installing an Interlock device.
- A criminal record, which will cause complications with future employment and travel.
If you’re still within the first two years of driving, this could complicate your future behind the wheel. Six or more penalty points during your probation could mean returning to learner status, reapplying for a provisional licence, and redoing both tests.
3. You will suffer
It’s not just about driving penalties. If you’re lucky enough to avoid death, yours or someone else’s, the penalties will have a domino effect on your life. You could:
- Have your car insurance cancelled or see your premium increase.
- Lose your job.
- Lose the independence of driving.
- Get a criminal record.
- Face difficulties getting a job or travelling to some countries due to a criminal record.
Not just humiliating, but very inconvenient!
4. Alcohol is unpredictable
You might feel fine after one drink, but your best friend could feel dizzy after just half a drink. Alcohol affects everyone differently – your weight, age, gender, the type of alcohol you consume, how much food you’ve eaten, and your stress levels all play a role.
5. One is not OK
Whatever the amount of alcohol, your brain takes longer to receive messages from your eyes and ears after drinking. Even if you might not feel it, you will process information more slowly. And, slower reactions = increased risk of crashing.
Drivers who are under the legal drink-drive limit but have alcohol in their blood are estimated to cause 2297 road deaths in Canada per year. So that “one” isn’t really OK…
6. The morning after is not OK
You probably know the feeling the morning after: the pounding head, tiredness, greasy cravings – and the moment you realise you have to drive back home from your friend’s house. That despairing feeling is your answer… you’re not well enough to drive.
A cold shower or a latte might make you feel more awake, but they won’t remove the alcohol still in your blood. Time is the only solution for getting yourself home safely.
So what is the legal drink-drive limit?
The legal alcohol limit for drivers in Canada is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08%. It’s difficult to know how a specific amount of alcohol will increase your BAC because it differs for everyone and in every circumstance.
The only foolproof advice is to avoid alcohol if you plan to drive. If you think you might change your mind and want to party, arrange other ways of transport for the night. Call a friend, book a cab, use a rideshare service, or find a designated driving service to give you and your car a safe ride home. Services like Keys Please are available all over and provide designated drivers.
Driving impaired should never be the answer. If you already follow this rule, make sure your friends are just as informed. Help others by not offering alcohol to someone planning to drive or by taking away the car keys from someone who’s drinking. And do not get in a car with a driver you know has been drinking.