BREATHE EASY OVER CHRISTMAS
WITH the office party season now at full tilt and with family festivities taking place, we need to have a word about drinking and driving.
Last year, between the end of November and the new year, 938 people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including ten on Christmas Day itself. Of that total, 10% were arrested the morning after the night before, which perhaps illustrates just how little we understand about the effect of alcohol on our bodies.
Some years ago, when France had a law that you must carry a breathalyser (it’s been dropped since, because it was almost universally ignored), I tested myself. I had been out with friends in La Rochelle until 3am and someone decided it was a good idea to end the night with Jägerbombs (shots of Jägermeister dropped into an energy drink). I never drive unless my blood alcohol level is absolutely zero; I have far too much to lose if I were found over the limit, though not nearly as much as someone I easily could kill.
Anyway, it turned out that I wasn’t at zero until 2pm the next day, which literally was a sobering thought, because the problem was I actually felt fine. In short, you can’t trust your body, so get a little help from science. I’m often asked what sort of present is appropriate for men, and I can’t think of a better one than a breathalyser; indeed, it’s a good gift for women too. Don’t worry about offending someone – you really won’t, and it’s far better to breathalyse yourself at home than it is to be stopped by a garda (though, rather amazingly, I’m 56 and I’ve never once been asked for a breath test).
Even a first offence now leads to a ban. If the level of alcohol in your blood is less than 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood (20 milligrams for commercial drivers), you are under the limit. If it is between 50mg and 80mg, you will receive an automatic three-month driving ban, as well as a €200 fine, and if you don’t pay that, it can be increased to up to €5,000 and/or six months in prison.
Why risk it? A decent breathalyser like the Alcosense Lite 2 costs €53.99 in store in Halfords or online at alcosense. ie. For your sake, and that of others, it might be the best 50odd quid you’ll ever spend.