Most people like to relax and enjoy a few drinks while they are on holiday. A few beers on the beach, or a gin and tonic by the pool is all part of unwinding when you are away from home and the humdrum of daily routine. However, just because you are on holiday it does not mean that drink driving laws do not apply. In fact, drink driving laws abroad can be even stricter than in the UK. We give you a guide to what you can and can’t do when it comes to having a drink and getting behind the wheel on holiday.
In the UK the current drink driving limit is 0.8mg per 100 millilitres of blood. This actually higher than anywhere else in Europe, along with Malta, Ireland and Luxembourg. In Spain, France, Portugal and Turkey (among other countries) the drink drive limit is just 0.5mg, which is a small beer.
It is not just the fact that the limit is lower in other countries that you need to watch out for; there are other rules and regulations that need to be followed or you could really land yourself in trouble. In Turkey, for example, the limit is reduced to 0.0mg if you have any passengers in the car, meaning you cannot have any alcohol at all if you are going to be driving. In Spain if you have been driving for less than a year the limit is lowered to 0.1mg as well so having even a small beer could see you banned.
In all honesty if you are planning on driving while you are on holiday the best thing to do is avoid alcohol and take a taxi. It’s not just the difference in the laws that can catch you out. Unfamiliar roads and road signs, different speed limits and the fact that police in many European countries can stop you for ‘no probable reason’ mean that driving with any alcohol in your system is dangerous. Many countries like France also have much harsher sentencing if you do get caught; if you don’t want to see yourself in jail, don’t do it!
What about driving in the USA? This is a tricky one as each state has its own rules and regulations. However, in the state of Florida which is most visited by tourists, the legal limit for over 21s is 0.08% BAL (Blood Alcohol Level.) Florida is notoriously tough on drink drivers with zero tolerance laws. If you get caught the insurance on your hire car will immediately become invalid, you could face hefty fines and you can even be fined for carrying alcohol in your car unless it is secured in the boot. In short, having a drink and getting behind the wheel in Florida is simply not worth it so take a cab or hop on the bus.
Lots of our holiday homes have amenities within walking distance, or they are well located for taxis and public transport. If you would like to find out more about the location of any of our villas and apartments feel free to contact one of our Panoramic Villas advisors today.
