Urgent warning over boozy Christmas treats that could get drivers pulled over this winter

AN urgent warning has been issued over boozy Christmas treats that could result in drivers being pulled over.

Households across the country are now gorging on treats such as brandy butter, cherry liqueurs, red wine gravy and Christmas pudding.

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But there is now concern that some of these items could put people over the drink drive limit.

The limit in England and Wales is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. North of the border this limit is reduced to 22 micrograms.

Now research by experts at All Car Leasing has found that many popular foods contain around 3.5 units of alcohol. Just two portions of tirasimu and one helping of sherry trifle contain 3.5 units.

However, the above list is complicated if the person is drinking alcohol alongside the food items.

A single pint of beer and one and a half servings of Christmas cake could be enough to set you over the limit.

Units of alcohol affect people in different ways, and the RAC suggests a driver needs at least one hour to process just one unit of alcohol.

On that basis a driver would have to wait at least three and a half hours before driving after 3.5 units.

Generally speaking, two pints of beer or two small glasses of wine is enough to put you over the legal limit.

The RAC advise drivers that the safest policy is to avoid all alcohol before getting behind the wheel of the car.

Taking chances and risks with desserts and drinks could lead to a criminal prosecution.

If you cause a death while driving under the influence of alcohol, you face a jail term of up to 14 years.

Just being caught over the limit can land you a driving ban, a £2,500 fine and even a short prison term.

The actual penalty you get is up to the magistrates who hear your case and depends on your offence.

The first roadside breath test was carried out on October 8, 1967.

In the year the breathalyser was introduced there were 1,640 people killed in crashes attributed to alcohol, but publicans protested to then-Transport Minister Barbara Castle that the new law could put them out of business.

AA president Edmund King said: "The breathalyser sits alongside compulsory seat belts and the introduction of EuroNCAP crash testing as the three biggest road safety life-saving measures introduced in the last half-century.

"The breathalyser and subsequent campaigns saved thousands of lives and helped make drink driving socially unacceptable."