Drinking and driving
Driving while intoxicated is no longer treated as a trivial offence and can have a whole range of unpleasant consequences. So, you should think twice before getting behind the wheel after the Christmas aperitif. Even if you still feel absolutely fit to drive.
A glass of wine or beer can already be too much under certain circumstances. It is well known that a distinction is made between men and women, but the weight of the person also plays an important role. And once consumed, the alcohol in the blood is only broken down very slowly: about 0.1 – 0.15 per thousand per hour. So, if you go to bed at one o’clock in the morning with 1.8 promille, you will get up at seven the next morning with about 0.9 – 1.2 promille. Definitely too much for road traffic.
By the way, the police are authorised to carry out an alcohol test even hours after driving a vehicle. The blood alcohol level is then calculated retroactively. A cold shower, some sleep, coffee or similar in between will not help you, because alcohol is only broken down over time.
Driving with alcohol
Even an alcohol level below 0.25 mg/l (alcohol in breath), which corresponds to 0.5 per thousand (alcohol in blood), has a negative effect on driving behaviour and increases the risk of accidents:
Who is affected?
This limit applies to the various motorised road users (drivers of cars, lorries, motorbikes, scooters, mopeds, fast and slow e-bikes, etc.) Anyone who uses a non-motorised vehicle, such as a bicycle, while under the influence of alcohol is also liable to a fine. The same rules apply to users of roller skates, skateboards, scooters, and tricycles as to pedestrians. They cannot therefore be punished under the offence of “driving while intoxicated”.
Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol
If the level is between 0.5 and 0.79 per thousand (or 0.25 – 0.395 mg/l), this is a slight contravention, and a warning is issued if no administrative action has been taken in the last two years. However, if another offence is added (e.g. speeding), the offence is of medium severity and the licence is withdrawn for at least one month. You will also be fined or imprisoned. The upper limit is 3 years imprisonment. The penalty depends on the financial situation of the sentenced person.
A level of more than 0.8 per mille (or 0.4 mg/l) is called drunkenness. The driver’s licence is now gone for at least 3 months. In addition, you will be fined or imprisoned. The upper limit is also 3 years imprisonment. The penalty depends on the financial situation of the convicted person. In addition, the offence is entered in the criminal register.
For new drivers (within the first 3 years after the driving test) a strict ban on alcohol has been in force since 1 January 2014. Alcohol influence exists if the person has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.1 per thousand (or 0.05mg/l) or more. This is because some foods, such as bananas, raise the blood alcohol level slightly. The above-mentioned ban on alcohol also applies to groups of people such as professional chauffeurs, learner drivers, people accompanying learning journeys and driving instructors.
The best way to avoid alcohol
As alcohol can lead to restrictions even in small quantities, the well-known saying “Whoever drives, does not drink – whoever drinks, does not drive” should be considered. Even 0.2 per mille (or 0.1 mg/l) can reduce alertness, worsen visual acuity, and reduce hearing. The reaction also slows down. Imagine that you cause an accident with personal injury under the influence of alcohol. Every day you will wonder whether this accident could have been prevented with 0.0 per mille.
That is why: Think about your way home before you have an event. Because under the influence of alcohol you often make the wrong decision. If you are under the influence of alcohol, it is always best to take a taxi home or travel by public transport. And by the way: If you do not want to do without a glass of wine over the festive season, the Nez-Rouge Voluntary Transport Service is a cheap way to get home!
Enjoy the upcoming holidays!
