IAM issues ‘morning after’ drink drive warning

With the EURO 2012 tournament and the Olympic Games to celebrate – and 18% of all drink drive collisions occurring the morning after a night out – the IAM and AlcoSense Breathalysers are urging motorists to ensure they don’t unwittingly become drink drivers.

The IAM says that ‘morning after’ drink drive collisions have increased by 60% over the last decade. In some cases, drivers had consumed ‘as little as three or four drinks’ and were often unaware that they were still under the influence, says the charity. 18% of all drink drive accidents in 2010 occurred between 5am and 1pm, compared with 11% in 2000 and 7% in 1990.

Simon Best, IAM chief executive, said: “Enjoy a drink this summer, but don’t mix it with driving. And bear in mind that while you may not feel the effects the next day, your blood alcohol level could still be above the drink drive limit.”

Hunter Abbott, AlcoSense managing director, said: “AlcoSense urges revellers enjoying the summer’s extended party atmosphere to beware of putting themselves at risk of drink driving the following morning.

“We know that 51% of people have unintentionally drink driven the morning after and the police are catching 17.8% the morning after, when they are not actively looking for drink drivers. People need to be especially careful over the holiday period and throughout this summer.”

For more information contact the IAM on 020 8996 9777.