Drivers warned alcoholic ice lollies could put them over limit

POLICE are issuing warnings to drivers over alcoholic ice lollies as they say the new summer trend is creating a drinkdrive risk.

The lollies sold at supermarkets including Sainsbury’s and Aldi contain sufficient amounts of alcohol to put people over the legal limit. Traffic officers in the North East issued the advice after increased sales of gin and tonic, prosecco and peach bellini lollies.

Aldi said the ice lollies had been so popular that it was having stocking issues.

Officers said the alcohol content of around 4.5 per cent was the same as a lager and said people could be lulled into a false sense of security because the alcohol was in frozen form.

Frozen cocktails being sold at Sainsbury’s are more than twice as strong and contain a shot of rum, coming in at 10 per cent ABV. They come in flavours including Mojito, Strawberry Daquiri and Pina Colada.

Acting Inspector Harry Simpson, from the Cleveland and Durham Operations Unit, said: “If you wouldn’t consider drinking a gin and tonic or cocktail when driving, then you shouldn’t consider having one of these lollies.”

An Aldi spokesman said: “The alcohol content of these products is clearly labelled on the product packaging to help our customers to make informed choices about the alcohol products they buy.”