Drivers warned to avoid Christmas treat that could land them with £2,500 fine and PRISON
BOOZY Christmas cakes could put drivers at risk of a £2,500 fine or even jail time by pushing their blood alcohol levels over the limit.
The festive period is a time for food-loving adults to dig into their favourite treats, with warm puddings laced with whisky and brandy perfect for the chilly season.
But drivers should be careful about taking an extra bite of that fruitcake - with warnings the alcohol content could make the unfit to drive.
Sherry trifle and Christmas pudding are two desserts you should eat in moderation if you don’t want to get in trouble with the police.
It only takes two servings of tiramisu or a brandy-soaked Christmas pudding to put you over the legal drink-driving limit while other foods such as cranberry and port sauce, could make you fail a Breathalyzer.
You might receive a lot of liqueur-filled chocolates for Christmas but be careful, as more than 30 might increase your blood alcohol to dangerous levels.
Drivers who are caught over the limit could be fined up to £2,500 and face a driving ban and numerous points on their licences.
One driver was caught over the alcohol limit and had a lucky escape from a driving ban after she claimed she had eaten festive cake laced with whisky.
Most read in Motors
Julie Wynne was stopped by police and gave a positive breath test despite claiming that she had only drunk two halves of lager that evening.
She told magistrates at Nottingham that she had not realised the cake she had eaten with three cups of tea had been soaked in half a bottle of whiskey.
She pleaded guilty but asked not to be disqualified from driving. The magistrates accepted her argument and gave her five penalty points last year.
Some police forces even shame drunk drivers on social media.
Northamptonshire Police has launched a Christmas drink and drug-driving campaign with culprits revealed on Twitter.
Officers will take part in a county-wide crackdown targeting those who choose to get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs.
Anybody charged will again be publicly ‘named and shamed’ on the force website and on social media.
Chair of the county Safer Roads Alliance, Superintendent Jen Helm, said: “It is not our intention to stop people from having fun.
“Our intention is to try and ensure no one gets that terrible knock on the door to tell them someone they love is not coming home.
“Last year was incredibly difficult for everyone because of the Covid-19 restrictions in place, so we all want to enjoy this year’s festivities with family and friends – possibly even more than in other years.”
