On these lazy moon-lit summer and fall evenings, many relax with friends under the soft glow of citronella. Part of unwinding often involves consuming ice-cold beer or other spirits, perhaps to excess. Aside from a nasty headache or fatigue, overindulgence can pose a dangerous liability when the intoxicated decide to drive to work the following morning. (Especially if they use their cell phones, too)
Some drivers may erroneously believe that merely a "good night's sleep" or a Gatorade will nullify alcohol's effects and assuage drunk-driving concerns. It's just a hangover, right? But unfortunately for them -- and for the sober motorists on the road -- these drivers may be operating their cars with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit.
Most U.S. states mandate that driving with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher constitutes the criminal act of drunk-driving. As such, various educational outreach programs are in place to deter this type of negligence in the U.S.
Swinton is taking some preventative measures of its own, warning motorists of the very real repercussions associated with "morning after" driving. When the U.K.-based insurer conducted an online poll of 1,200 insureds, it found that 18 percent of drivers suspected they had driven while over the drunk-driving limit on the morning after a night out.
Figures released earlier this year in the "Road Casualties Great Britain Annual Report" indicated that one in ten alcohol-related road collisions occurred between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Swinton is urging drivers to be more cognizant of how much alcohol they ingest the night before driving, as alcohol stays in the blood stream much longer than most people realize.
"Morning after" driving not only leads to a spike in auto insurance claims but also to needless injuries and even fatalities. The penalties associated with drunk-driving can include a prison term, penalty points, a driving ban, a hefty fine, and future increases in car insurance premiums.
"Drunk-driving is dangerous and carries massive implications if you are caught," said Steve Chelton, insurance development manager at Swinton. "Drivers need to be extra careful the morning after, as a breathalyzer test will not differentiate between being drunk and being hung-over."
Ensuring that sufficient time has elapsed between drinking and getting behind the wheel saves lives, not to mention insurers and consumers alike a lot of money and aggravation.
