Drink driving limit

HypnoToad · 3 Sep 2011 at 03:59

I was wondering, a friend of mine was over tonight and they drunk a bottle of wine at around midnight, but they have to be at work the next day at 6am, will they still be over the limit on the way to work tomorrow? It was 12% for what it's worth.

[FnG]magnolia · 3 Sep 2011 at 04:44

I'd say that's a close one. I think the average person loses one unit per hour. A bottle of wine is 750ml*12% which is 9 units, isn't it? Actually, that sounds very touch and go, particularly if they started drinking it at midnight and didn't finish then.

Scania · 3 Sep 2011 at 05:09

Your friend is somewhat daft to put it mildly.

If I was driving @ 6AM I would make absolutely sure I'd stopped by midnight at the latest, well, actually I wouldn't as I would not have been drinking that late - if at all - in the first place, & I'm thinking a few cans of normal strength beer at most.

I would not want to drive after a couple of glasses of 12% wine within 5 - 6 hours, never mind a bottle!

MrKeeno · 3 Sep 2011 at 09:14

6hrs after drinking a bottle of wine I would still feel plastered tbh. I would take someone's keys off them before I let them go, that's an accident waiting to happen.

TRNC · 3 Sep 2011 at 09:20

Probably over the limit, the only way to find out is to drive off and get stopped by the police - they will let your friend know!

Drinking a bottle of wine is silly, 12% @ midnight when driving at 6am is just irresponsible.

Uriel · 3 Sep 2011 at 09:32

According to this it's 9 units: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Alcohol-and-Sensible-Drinking.htm

That means most people will still be over the limit to something at least around 7 to 9ish the next morning.

Disco Boy · 3 Sep 2011 at 09:39

He'll probably be over the limit, but it varies by person so nobody can tell you for definite.

Locky · 3 Sep 2011 at 10:45

Will be over the limit and I would advise your friend not to drive, People shouldn't drive after any amount to be honest.

B@Th*nG · 3 Sep 2011 at 11:34

I'm just considering a hypothetical here. If you found a copper and asked them to breathalise you and you were over the limit could you still be had for intent?

B@

[FnG]magnolia · 3 Sep 2011 at 11:48

B@Th*nG said:
I'm just considering a hypothetical here. If you found a copper and asked them to breathalise you and you were over the limit could you still be had for intent?

B@

Assuming you were in possession of keys and a car, how could you not be done?

Pudney · 3 Sep 2011 at 11:55

[FnG]magnolia;19983227 said:
Assuming you were in possession of keys and a car, how could you not be done?

From the RTA 1988:

It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1)(b) above to prove that at the time he is alleged to have committed the offence the circumstances were such that there was no likelihood of his driving the vehicle whilst the proportion of alcohol in his breath, blood or urine remained likely to exceed the prescribed limit.

In the hypothetical scenario and it being me I would argue that by going to find a copper to breathalise me I had no intention of driving if over the limit and therefore not committing an offence.

[FnG]magnolia · 3 Sep 2011 at 12:00

He talked of intent. That suggests intent to drive a car whilst potentially over the limit, given context. Having said that, it's all hypothetical so who really cares.

Pudney · 3 Sep 2011 at 12:11

[FnG]magnolia;19983285 said:
He talked of intent. That suggests intent to drive a car whilst potentially over the limit, given context. Having said that, it's all hypothetical so who really cares.

Aye, I'd like to think a copper would appreciate the fact you're trying to abide by the law and not even try to arrest you for it! In my optimistic world anyway.

Scania · 3 Sep 2011 at 12:30

Well, did he or didn't he?