A leading Essex-based law firm has said professional drivers and their employers must ‘know their limits’ in the run up to Christmas as it gives away free breathalyser kits.
The breathalyser kits are being given out free-of-charge as the festive season approaches by Palmers Solicitors, which has offices in Basildon, Thurrock and South Woodham Ferrers.
In England and Wales, it is illegal to be in charge of a vehicle if you have more than 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. However it is impossible to say how many drinks this equates to; something which depends on a person’s weight, age, sex and metabolism, as well as several other factors.
While drivers themselves must take responsibility for ensuring they are fit to drive, there are also knock-on consequences for employers who risk suffering the possible reputational damage associated with their drivers committing an offence, as well as the cost and inconvenience of having an employee who is unable to fulfil his or her duties.
Jeremy Sirrell, a Partner at Palmers who specialises in motoring offences, said: “Drivers must know their limits and this is especially so for people who drive for a living. Yet too often drivers and employers suffer the consequences of misjudging when it’s safe and legal to drive.
“Of course, the safest option is simply not to drive after having a drink. However, given that alcohol consumption affects different people in different ways, it can be near-impossible to tell how long you must wait before driving and it is common for people to still be over the limit the morning after.
“We do not want to see anyone take to the road while impaired by alcohol and that is why we are offering free breathalyser kits to professional drivers and their employers.”
The free breathalysers are available from http://www.traffic-offence-solicitors.com/.