Lindsay Sykes and Daniel Debenham were both killed as a result of other people drinking and driving. Alcohol can slow down reactions and reduce someones ability to carry out more than one task. It can cause blurred vision and make it more difficult to see things in the distance especially things at night. Alcohol also gives a false confidence, which can cause people to overestimate their own ability and take risks they would not normally take.

Worryingly statistics show the number of people killed in crashes involving drink drivers is on the increase and there is strong concern that the number of young people who are drinking and driving is on the up.

Look at the facts and figures below to see more information about the consequences of drink driving.

To see what happened to Lindsay and Daniel click on the links below. Both Lindsay and Daniel were innocent and their deaths have meant a lifetime of misery for their families.

Lindsay    Daniel

Some common questions are answered in our quiz. Have a go and see how you do. Try our reaction tester and see for yourself the difference between reaction times for a sober and a drink driver. Click here to go to the interactive section to try these tests.

6 Facts about Drinking and Driving

• On average 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in drink drive collisions.
• Nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit.
• On average 100,000 drivers are convicted every year for drink driving.
• Drinking and driving occurs across a wide range of age groups but particularly among young men aged 17-29. There is no failsafe guide as to how to stay under the legal alcohol limit or how much you can drink and still drive safely.
• Alcohol can slow down reactions by 10% to 30%.
• You don't have to be in a crash to be breath tested. The police can ask you to take a breath test if they suspect you have been drinking, or if you commit a traffic offence.

For someone convicted of drink driving it could mean:  

• a criminal record
• disqualified from driving for at least a year
• fine of £5000
• 6 months imprisonment
• loss of job
• drastic change of lifestyle
• insurance costs will rocket
• difficulty hiring a car for the next ten years