Dangers of driving after a big night out

A sobering truth

This time of year is often full of excitement for many, with Christmas parties holiday activities and time with friends, work colleagues and family. 

However if you’re driving, the safest option is not to drink.

If you decide to drive, know your limits. Driving home after drinking, either on the same day/night or even the following day  could be both dangerous and illegal if your blood alcohol level is over the legal limit.

What tips you over the legal limits depends on a number of factors, such as your alcohol intake, your body’s metabolism, what you drink and the time over which you drink it, and your licence restrictions. Read more about this here.

There are no quick fixes to get rid of alcohol in your body despite the myths; black coffee, showers, mouthwash and greasy food.

The truth is, the only way for your body to rid itself of alcohol is time, the length of which varies depending on your physicality and alcohol consumption. A healthy liver breaks down less than one standard drink an hour, and if your liver is damaged it’ll take even longer.

After a heavy night of drinking, it can take more than 18 hours for your blood alcohol concentration to get back to zero. So over this holiday season, people may be booked for drink driving the day after they consumed any alcohol.

Download our latest report on drink driving: Bust the Boozers.

Work Health and Safety responsibilities

Under the WHS Act 2011, Employers have a legal obligation to manage risks to ensure the health and safety of workers, which includes managing the risks of drugs and alcohol.

Businesses can incorporate a number of strategies targeted at both the employer and employees, that are tailored to the unique needs of your workplace. These include:

• Fitness for Work Policy
• Alcohol and other drugs policy including need for testing
• Workplace health promotion
• Education and training programs
• Access to support, resources, treatment and counselling services such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)

How do I keep my employees safe?

Identify and manage the risks of driving after drinking.

Communicate expected behaviours with your workers, and provide appropriate support for work functions.

Alcohol interlocks are a form of technology that are highly effective, and currently used to prevent drink driving offenders from reoffending. The electronic breath testing device is installed and linked to the ignition system of a car, motorcycle or heavy vehicle. The vehicle will only start once the driver passes a breath test.

We’ve successfully advocated for the use of alcohol interlocks in vehicles of repeat drink driving offenders. So fleet owners could consider installing the devices in their business vehicles as a workplace health and safety requirement. Then employees wouldn’t be in fear of driving over the limit after a big night because the device would notify them. 

Make sure it stays merry

The sobering truth is that drink driving is still a major cause of crashes on our roads. So, whilst it is the season to be jolly, it’s also good idea to remind your staff (and yourself) about staying safe and sober behind the wheel.