Festival-goers are being urged to think carefully before getting behind the wheel the morning after drinking, as part of a Summer safety campaign.
With the Isle of Wight Festival underway and other summer events just around the corner, the Isle of Wight Council is reminding drivers that alcohol can remain in your system well into the next day – and that driving while still over the limit can have serious consequences.
Partners from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safer Roads Partnership, will be raising awareness through targeted messaging and face-to-face engagement at ferry terminals in Lymington, Portsmouth and Southampton.
As part of the campaign, drivers are being introduced to the Morning After calculator – a free online tool designed to help people estimate how long it takes for alcohol to leave their system.
Lewis Campbell, the council’s road safety officer, said:
“We know many people wouldn’t dream of drink driving on a night out – but they may not realise they’re still over the limit the next morning.
“The Morning After calculator is a helpful tool for understanding how long alcohol can remain in your system. But it’s not a guarantee – and it certainly shouldn’t be used to justify getting behind the wheel.
“If you’re drinking any amount of alcohol – even just one drink – you should leave the car at home and plan alternative transport. And remember, the calculator won’t help you if you are caught drink driving.
Article continues below this advertisement “What it can do is give you a rough idea of when it might be safe to drive the next day. It can also help you decide when to stop drinking if you know you’ll need to drive in the morning. However, to be clear, there is no safe level of alcohol when it comes to driving.”
The consequences of drink driving can be severe. Offenders face fines, driving bans, and even prison. And it’s not just about being caught while driving – simply being found in a stationary vehicle while intoxicated, with the keys in the ignition, could result in a £2,500 fine, a three-month prison sentence, and a driving ban.
Red Funnel and Wightlink support this campaign by offering the vehicle ferry ports as engagement venues. And this year, Red Funnel is providing additional support by offering free advertising space on screens at terminals and onboard vessels, helping to spread the message to both residents and visitors.
Nigel Lane, operations manager for Red Funnel, said:
“We’re proud to support this important campaign. With so many people travelling to and from the Island for events, it’s vital that everyone understands the risks of morning-after drink driving.”
Colin Evans, road safety programme manager for National Highways South-East, added:
“We want people to enjoy the festival season, but we also want everyone to get home safe and well and that means making smart choices about when to stop drinking if you plan to drive the next day.”
To learn more about drink driving penalties, visit the government’s official website. You can try the Morning After calculator at www.morning-after.org.uk.
I would expect more police patrols will be taking
place being such a large event is being held on the
island.
Good to know these detergents are available , quote. “ could result in a £2,500 fine, a three-month prison sentence, and a driving ban “. Oh that they would be used by the magistrates at some time. In reality, the highest that is seen is perhaps around £500, if the person is employed, if unemployed a mere fraction of that is dished out and yet they can afford the car the drink and the drugs. So come on magistrates, get some more revenue in, help fund the judiciary, they are an easy target, go for it, the offenders can avoid it if they choose to, they obviously want to be fined.
Yeah! We need more detergents!!
Mr Campbell.
whikst this ‘campaign’ is all very laudable I am afraid it rather smacks of Soundbites and Headline Grabbing.
drink Driving us a YEAR ROUND activity so why do we not hsve concerted action all of the time and not ‘every now and then’ either when an event is on or it is the ‘Christmas’ season?
also…
I think you need to have a LONG conversation on the subject with our Illustrious Council Leader!