Leave the van at home if you plan to drink

It’s Friday, the gateway to the weekend and I'm beginning to get that Friday feeling right about now. As the workday winds down, many of us are more than ready to let our hair down and head to the pub for a well-deserved pint (or glass of wine for me please). As the summer approaches, we can also look forward to more friendly get-togethers with plenty of adult beverages on hand, but it’s important to stay safe and remember not to get behind the wheel of the van or car if we've indulged a bit too much.

To help with tips on how to avoid the drink drive temptation this summer, road safety charity the IAM is offering beneficial motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. See his valuable advice below:

Lust of the summer wine

If you’ve had a couple at a summer celebration, don’t try to calculate whether or not you are over the limit. It’s always best to make it none for the road.

• Remember that home measures are often larger than what you’d get in a pub.


• Many crashes involve pedestrians who have been drinking and drivers who haven’t. When walking home after a drink or two take care and pay attention to your surroundings. When you’re driving, be aware that pedestrians may be the worse for wear and unpredictable, especially late at night, and be prepared for them to step out without looking for you.


• If you drive to a party and drink when you didn’t expect to, don’t risk it. Get a taxi or arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up.


• A drinking session the night before might put you over the legal limit the following day. Keep this in mind and organise alternative travel plans for the next morning.


• If you are involved in a road accident you will be breathalysed. Don’t risk it, or somebody else’s mistake could become your problem – being hit from behind while sitting at a red traffic light could get you banned.


• Ignore peer pressure. It may seem like a better option to others – for you to risk driving rather than paying for a taxi – but it is your licence and your liberty that is at stake.

IAM chief examiner Peter Rodger said: “The summer is a time of BBQs; jam packed beer gardens and festivals. But the summer sees a rise in drink-drive casualties too. Enjoy yourself and leave the car at home if you plan to celebrate with a drink.

Good advice to keep in mind, especially if you use your van for leisure purposes as well as for work. It’s going to hurt a lot more in the morning if you’ve not got the work van on Monday. We all know the dangers associated with drink driving, so please, leave the van at home or follow the IAM’s advice and arrange another way home.