Many drivers say one pint is fine

30 July 2007

23% think they're safe after one pint
5% say they can drive after two pints
58% wouldn't drink at all

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Almost a quarter of drivers are happy to take to the road after drinking a pint of beer, according to a whatcar.com survey.

Although a pint of beer of average strength won't typically put a person over the drink-drive limit, it does slow their reactions and make them more susceptible to being involved in an accident.

Whatcar.com's poll revealed 23% of respondents think they are safe to drive after a pint.

Another 15% of respondents said they would drive after drinking a pint and a half of beer, while another 5% said they would drink two pints.

Although all beers have a different alcohol content and people absorb the alcohol differently according to their build and liver function, the average person will be marginally over the drink-drive limit after quickly drinking a pint and a half of average strength beer.

The remaining 58% of respondents said they didn't drink if they were driving.

The Government is set to review Britain's drink-drive limits later this year.

At present, Britain's limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood is the second-highest in the European Union, with the majority of nations having a 50mg limit.

MPs have recommended a total alcohol ban for novice drivers.

An estimated 3000 deaths and serious injuries are caused by drink-drivers each year.