As the hot weather continues and most people are enjoying a BBQ and a relaxing drink in the garden or down the pub, lorry drivers need to ask themselves a very important question: ‘Should I have one for the road or none for the road?’
THINK! – the new drink-drive campaign could not be more aptly titled or make a more important statement. The good weather and relaxed atmosphere while having a drink makes people behave differently. So how many drivers will fail to think and answer the question above incorrectly regardless of the consequences that could follow or in some cases that do follow.
Andrew Drewary, Director of First Legal Support, a specialist outsourced accident investigation company says: “We have all been enjoying the recent fabulous weather and the longer it goes on the more we get used to it and those few drinks in the garden or with friends in the pub are suddenly becoming the norm. People feel they can handle their drink better but how many lorry drivers and other drivers have fallen foul of the ‘morning after’ effect without realising they are over the legal drink-drive limit?”
During the summer months a lot more people begin drinking earlier during the day when with friends and family. The fact that they had their last drink at 8 o’clock the previous evening they believe they are fit to drive when they wake up the following morning. What most people forget is actually how much they have drunk the previous day and do not realise how long it takes for alcohol to leave their body.
Unfortunately, most people feel refreshed and sober the following morning once they have had a cup of coffee and a shower. They get into their vehicle as normal without giving a second thought that they may still be over the legal drink-drive limit and effectively DRUNK. This is until something happens and they are either pulled over by the police for a poor piece of driving or worse, they are involved in a catastrophic accident.
Drewary continues: “Over the years we have had to investigate a number of accidents involving drunk drivers. Mostly these have followed only minor collisions although there have been a number of catastrophic accidents with massive consequences. One of the most alarming cases we have had to deal with involved a middle aged female who lost control of her car on a bend in a town centre and collided with the corner of a building. She escaped unscathed but her passenger lost a leg. When breathalysed by the police at 3.30pm in the afternoon she advised them that her last drink was at 9.30pm the previous evening. She was still 2½ times over the drink-drive legal limit. Her occupation: HGV diver!”
Although highly trained and qualified in their profession and much more aware of the consequences and risks on the road, some lorry drivers will still take a chance. Unfortunately, people think that the following day means everything starts afresh. However, for most lorry drivers the following day starts a lot earlier than for most other people and the risk of still being over the drink-drive limit is greater.
So, who has most to lose if a lorry driver is over the legal drink–drive limit? Ultimately, it could be the innocent Third Party who was doing nothing wrong when involved in an accident. The lorry driver will be the one who loses their licence, their job, even their liberty as well as having to deal with the psychological trauma that follows. But their employer could be dragged into the aftermath due to the publicity these matters generate. This could have a massive negative effect on business relationships which could ultimately result in loss of customers and the business could close.
Employers need put processes in place that will monitor their drivers before they head out onto the road. Although this is a very difficult area to address so not to infringement the driver’s human rights employers need to work with their drivers, unions and legal teams to ensure best practice is in place. The employer has a legal duty to ensure the health and safety of their driver at all times and needs to be pro-active in this area. These processes could save innocent lives.
Drewary concludes: “Regardless of whether you drive for a living or not the age old question will continue to be asked. ‘How many drinks can I have before it is unsafe for me to drive?’ Although most people will believe they know the answer and think they are safe to drive after a couple of drinks everybody reacts differently to alcohol. Therefore there is only one answer. If you are going on the road, have none before you go on the road.”
Despite the constant campaigns to improve awareness and to highlight the consequences of drink driving, 280 people were killed in 2011 after being involved in an accident with a drunk-driver. Should this change the mindset of those who drink and drive? You would like to hope so but in reality we will continue to hear the headlines of other innocent victims of a drunk driver.
If you would like to know more about First Legal Support and the services they offer do not hesitate to contact Andrew Drewary on 07817 043821 or email andrewd@firstlegalsupport.co.uk
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