Two Southland drivers were caught over the alcohol limit this morning — not from drinking and driving, but from drinking the night before and assuming they were fine by morning.
Both were pulled over in routine traffic stops for speeding. Both blew over the legal limit on evidential breath testing. One was stopped in a school zone. Both admitted they had been drinking the previous evening.
They were issued infringement notices for excess breath alcohol and speeding, and were forbidden from driving for 12 hours.
Constable Mike Ryder said the incidents were a reminder that alcohol stays in the body longer than many people expect.
"People often assume that after a night's sleep they will be under the legal limit and safe to drive," Ryder said. "That is not always the case."
The fix people reach for — coffee, a cold shower, sleep — makes no difference. "There is no quick way to sober up – a cup of coffee, a cold shower, or a good night's sleep, will not speed up the body's ability to process alcohol. Time is the only factor that reduces alcohol levels," Ryder said.
The message from police is straightforward: if you drank last night and you're not certain you're under the limit, don't drive. "If you've been drinking the night before and you're not certain you're fit to drive, don't take the risk. Driving while impaired puts not only yourself at risk, but everyone else on our roads."
Police say they will continue targeting impaired driving across Southland. Anyone who sees unsafe driving should call 111 if it is happening now, 105 for non-urgent reports, or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.