How long does alcohol stay in your system and when can you drive safely?

WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE: the designated driver, wondering if it’s safe to have a cheeky pint.

The consequences of drinking and driving can be disastrous.

But what about the morning after a long night out – are you safe to drive after a nap?

The government imposes strict drink-drive limits in order to prevent drink-driving deaths, which are estimated to number 7,800 in the UK each year.

Continue reading to find out if your drinking habits are safe…

How long does alcohol last in your body?

According to Dr. Paul Wallace, Chief Medical Adviser for Drinkaware, “the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream is determined by three factors.”

Alcohol leaves your body at about one unit per hour, but this varies from person to person.

Size, gender, liver condition, metabolism, stress level, and amount of food consumed can all influence how quickly or slowly your body processes alcohol.

Can I sleep off the alcohol?

Many people believe that the effects of alcohol wear off while sleeping.

However, sleep has no effect on the rate at which alcohol leaves your bloodstream.

According to the Institute of Advanced Motoring, people don’t realize that just because they’ve slept doesn’t mean they’re no longer affected by alcohol.

According to the article, “many drivers who would not consider driving after a night in”