HomeCar CultureBritish motorists would extend drinking and driving ban to all beverages

British motorists would extend drinking and driving ban to all beverages

Survey finds that 66 percent would include coffee, soda, even water and tea as driving-law violation

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In a survey obviously not commissioned by Starbucks, McDonald’s or any other establishment with drive-thru food and beverage service, two-thirds of motorists (66 percent) said they would extend the ban on don’t drink and drive to all beverages, not just those that are alcoholic.

The survey of nearly 700 drivers was done in England by Motorpoint, which claims to be the UK’s largest independent car retailer.

Motorpoint noted in announcing the results that, “While it is not illegal to drink while driving, you can still be issued with a fine because it is classed as driving without due care and attention… the police are still able to issue penalty points and a fine as the act of drinking can be viewed as a ‘distraction’ and therefore is classed as driving without due care and attention.

“This currently carries a £100 fine and three penalty points. Other motoring offenses that are also classed as ‘careless’ include trying to read a map, adjusting a stereo, eating as well as listening to loud music while driving on the road.”

Imagine how much faster the morning commute would go if you didn’t have to wait in the drive-thru line for your early-morning cup of coffee. Drinking even coffee or a soda would be banned if 2/3 of British drivers had their way | Derek Jensen photo

The results of our survey are pretty emphatic,” Hayden Vokes, Motorpoint marketing director, was quoted. “While many of us will take a soft drink on a car journey, even the shortest lapse in concentration could have potentially fatal consequences for other people. 

“This is why it’s always advisable to stop off somewhere along the way to enjoy a drink, have something to eat, check your messages on your phone – you should avoid doing anything that has the potential to distract you while you are driving.”

Larry Edsall
Larry Edsall
A former daily newspaper sports editor, Larry Edsall spent a dozen years as an editor at AutoWeek magazine before making the transition to writing for the web and becoming the author of more than 15 automotive books. In addition to being founding editor at ClassicCars.com, Larry has written for The New York Times and The Detroit News and was an adjunct honors professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Can you say: “Nanny state”?
    Apparently, when you lose your status as a world power, all that political drive turns to inward control… and never stops.
    Thank God for President Washington and the Continental Army.

  2. That’s exactly what I was thinking too Ryan. This is a good example of a Nanny State with way too much time on its hands; and obviously not enough money in the Treasury.
    But safeguard your freedoms very carefully because there are certain political factions here in America that want to bring the same kind of Nanny State here. We must stop this from happening!

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